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Line 1: − <small>''This is an article about the chemical [[functional group]]. For the beverage, see [[alcoholic drink]]s''</small>+ − − '''Alcohols''' are a group of organic compounds consisting of a hydrocarbon or group with an -OH group; C<sub>n</sub>H<sub>2n+1</sub>OH. − − Commonly, the word alcohol refers to [[ethanol]] (C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>OH), which is the alcohol found in [[alcoholic drink]]s. Ethanol is produced by yeast during the [[anaerobic]] [[metabolism]], comparable to the production of [[lactic acid]] in [[mammals]]. − − ==Methanol== − [[Methanol]] consists of a single [[carbon]] atom, with three [[hydrogen]] atoms and a hydroxyl group (-OH). Traditionally, methanol was produced by the fermentation of wood, leading to the term 'wood alcohol'. Industrially, methanol can be produced by the reaction of [[carbon monoxide]] and [[hydrogen]] (CO + 2 H<sub>2</sub> = CHO<sub>3</sub>OH). For this industrial process, copper, zinc oxide and aluminum oxide may be used as catalysts at 250 °C and a pressure of 50-100 atm. − − The primary use of methanol is its addition to ethanol to make it undrinkable. It has also been used as a [[biofuel]]. − − Methanol is highly toxic to humans. This toxicity is largely indirect, as alcohol dehydrogense metabolises methanol to form [[formaldehyde]], which causes blindness and death. Small amounts of methanol may be present in alcohol drinks are can cause a burning sensation of the eyes. − − ==Ethanol== − [[Ethanol]] (C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>OH) is a major industrial spirit widely used in laboratories and household applications. It is also the type used in all [[alcoholic drink|alcoholic beverages]]. − − ==Oxidation of Alcohols== − By heating a primary alcohol with an oxidising agent, such as acidified potassium dichromate, an [[aldehyde]] is formed. If the oxidation is down under reflux, the aldehyde will then itself oxidise to a carboxylic acid. − − Secondary alcohols also oxidise, forming a [[ketone]]. Ketones, unlike aldehydes, cannot be oxidised further. − − [[Category:Organic Chemistry]]
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