Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers Class 12 Notes – Reactions, Properties, NCERT Solutions & CBSE Guide 2025-26
Unit 11 – Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers 11.1 Classification 11.2 Nomenclature 11.3 Structures of Functional Groups 11.4 Alcohols and Phenols 11.5 Some Commercially Important Alcohols 11.6 Ethers I. Introduction to Alcohols, Phenols, and Ethers Alcohols and phenols are formed when one or more hydrogen atoms in a hydrocarbon (aliphatic and aromatic, respectively) are replaced by a hydroxyl (-OH) group . These compounds are fundamental for various applications in industry and daily life, such as detergents, antiseptics, and fragrances. For instance, ethanol, a hydroxyl-containing compound, is the main component of spirit used for polishing wooden furniture. Sugar, cotton, and paper also consist of compounds with -OH groups. This unit specifically discusses the chemistry of alcohols, phenols, and ethers. II. Classification Alcohols, phenols, and ethers are classified to facilitate systematic study. A. Alcohols Alcohols are classified based on the number of hydroxyl groups and the hybr...