alkoholer

Alcohols, commonly called alkoholer in some languages, are organic compounds containing one or more hydroxyl (-OH) groups. The general formula is R-OH. The hydroxyl group enables hydrogen bonding, giving alcohols higher boiling points than many nonpolar hydrocarbons of similar weight and, for short chains, appreciable water solubility.

Alcohols are classified by the number of hydroxyl groups: mono-, di-, and triols. Monohydric alcohols can be primary, secondary, or tertiary depending on the carbon to which the OH is attached. Examples include methanol, ethanol, and propanol; diols such as ethylene glycol; and glycerol as a triol. Phenols, with the OH on an aromatic ring, are chemically related but behave differently.

Chemically, alcohols participate in oxidation, dehydration, and substitution reactions. Primary and secondary monohydric alcohols can be oxidized to aldehydes and carboxylic acids or to ketones; tertiary alcohols resist oxidation under mild conditions. Dehydration yields alkenes; esterification with carboxylic acids forms esters. Alcohols also form alkoxides with bases and serve as versatile solvents in many syntheses.

Uses include solvents, fuels (notably ethanol as beverage and biofuel), and feedstocks for detergents, plastics, and pharmaceuticals. Ethanol is the most widely used consumer alcohol; other members serve specialized industrial roles.

Safety and environmental aspects vary with structure. Alcohols are generally flammable. Methanol is highly toxic; ethanol is less toxic but hazardous at high doses. Short-chain alcohols are typically miscible with water, while longer chains are less soluble. They are usually biodegradable in the environment.