Difference between alcohol and alkanol
Alcohol and alkanol are by no means one and the same, even if both have the hydroxyl group -OH. However, while alcohols are defined by this group, in the case of alkanol, in contrast, the rest of the group must also meet certain criteria.
Alcohols can be alkanols, but not all alkanol is an alcohol. Confusing? Then simply make clear to yourself the differences in the criteria that must be met in order to classify a substance into one of the two groups.
That is what we mean by alkanols
- Alkanes denote in the organic chemistry saturated substances that consist exclusively of carbon and hydrogen. The carbons form chains, but not rings. An alkane therefore has x carbon atoms and 2x + 2 hydrogen atoms.
- Alkanols are derived from the alkanes. They are defined by one or more hydroxyl groups. A hydroxyl group is a functional group made up of one oxygen and one hydrogen atom. If the substance has two hydroxyl groups, it is called alkanediol, if it has three, it is called alkanetriol (e.g. glycerine).
In contrast, these are alcohols
So you can state that alkanols are saturated compounds that have at least one hydroxyl group. And how does it compare with alcohol?
- The group of alcohols, on the other hand, is larger. It is defined by the fact that one or more hydroxyl groups are bound to a carbon atom. The remainder is an alkyl group, i.e. a compound of carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms, although it is not specified whether this is saturated or not. Alcohols can therefore be alkanols, but do not have to be.
- Alcohol is often understood to mean ethanol. This compound consists of two carbon atoms, five hydrogen atoms and one hydroxyl group. The connection is saturated. As a result, ethanol, as a representative of the alcohols, is one of the alkanols.
Polyvalent alcohols are occasionally used at school, at work or in everyday life ...
So it has become clear that an alcohol is an alkanol when it is saturated. Ethanol, as a representative of the alcohols, fulfills these criteria.
