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Topic: aldehydes, ketones and alcohols  (Read 4705 times)

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outty

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aldehydes, ketones and alcohols
« on: March 08, 2006, 11:48:55 PM »
Hi,

In my undergrad lab manual they classify these functional groups as neutral, but aren't alcohols basic?  maybe i have the wrong definition of neutral in my mind.  Thanks in advance.

-Kyle
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Offline AWK

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Re:aldehydes, ketones and alcohols
« Reply #1 on: March 09, 2006, 01:19:48 AM »
If any, alcohols are very very very slightly acidic, they react with elemental sodium:
2ROH + 2Na = 2RONa + H2(g)
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AWK

Offline Yggdrasil

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Re:aldehydes, ketones and alcohols
« Reply #2 on: March 09, 2006, 02:56:26 AM »
OH in an inorganic compound is usually basic.
OH in an organic compound however, is usually neutral or even acidic.

Slightly confusing, yes, but very important to know.
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Offline Alberto_Kravina

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Re:aldehydes, ketones and alcohols
« Reply #3 on: March 09, 2006, 04:55:04 AM »
Quote from: outty on March 08, 2006, 11:48:55 PM
In my undergrad lab manual they classify these functional groups as neutral, but aren't alcohols basic?  maybe i have the wrong definition of neutral in my mind.  Thanks in advance.

Ketones and aldehydes are also neutral. Ethanol has a pKa around 20, pKa of water is 14.
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outty

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Re:aldehydes, ketones and alcohols
« Reply #4 on: March 09, 2006, 08:42:00 AM »
is there any reason as to why they are neutral, or does the pka explain it all
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