Summarizing Alcohols and Ethers

Key Concepts and Summary

Many organic compounds that are not hydrocarbons can be thought of as derivatives of hydrocarbons. A hydrocarbon derivative can be formed by replacing one or more hydrogen atoms of a hydrocarbon by a functional group, which contains at least one atom of an element other than carbon or hydrogen. The properties of hydrocarbon derivatives are determined largely by the functional group. The –OH group is the functional group of an alcohol. The –R–O–R– group is the functional group of an ether.

Glossary

alcohol

organic compound with a hydroxyl group (–OH) bonded to a carbon atom

ether

organic compound with an oxygen atom that is bonded to two carbon atoms