Difference between Alcohols and Phenols

The main difference between alcohols and phenols is that the hydroxyl group of alcohol is attached to a saturated carbon atom, while the hydroxyl group of phenol is attached directly to a carbon molecule of an aromatic ring…

Alcohols vs. Phenols

The hydroxyl group of alcohols is attached to a saturated carbon atom, while the hydroxyl group of phenols is directly attached to a carbon molecule of an aromatic ring. By nature of alcohols, they are usually aliphatic hydrocarbons, while in terms of the nature of phenols they are aromatic hydrocarbons. Aliphatic alcohols are less acidic than phenol; on the other hand, phenols are always acidic and must be diluted before use. Alcohols are used in pharmaceuticals, inks, in the beverage industry and many more; on the contrary, phenols are generally used as antiseptic agents in wounds. Alcohols are denoted as R-OH, where R represents an alkyl group; conversely, phenols are denoted ph-OH where ph represents the phenolic ring. Alcohols are typically a group of compounds, while phenols are a specific compound. The colorless liquids of alcohols are generally lower alcohols; On the other hand, phenols are colorless crystalline deliquescent solids. Alcohols are neutral, so it did not show any impact on litmus paper; On the other hand, since phenols are acidic, turn litmus paper red. When reacting with aqueous NaOH, alcohols show no reaction as a result, but when the reaction between phenols and NaOH occurs, they produce phenoxide ions as a result. The different types of alcohols are vermouth, vodka, gin, whiskey, brandy , cognac, beer, rum and port wine; On the contrary, the different types of phenols are phenol-formaldehyde, toluene, benzene, aniline, nitrophenol, anisole, ferulic acid, gallic acid and catechol. On the other hand, since phenols are acidic, turn litmus paper red. When reacting with aqueous NaOH, alcohols show no reaction as a result, but when the reaction between phenols and NaOH occurs, they produce phenoxide ions as a result. The different types of alcohols are vermouth, vodka, gin, whiskey, brandy, cognac, beer, rum, and port wine; conversely, the different types of phenols are phenol-formaldehyde, toluene , benzene, aniline, nitrophenol, anisole, ferulic acid, gallic acid, and catechol. On the other hand, since phenols are acidic, turn litmus paper red. When reacting with aqueous NaOH, alcohols show no reaction as a result, but when the reaction between phenols and NaOH occurs, they produce phenoxide ions as a result. The different types of alcohol are vermouth, vodka, gin, whiskey, brandy, cognac, beer, rum and Port wine; On the contrary, the different types of phenols are phenol-formaldehyde, toluene, benzene, aniline, nitrophenol, anisole, ferulic acid, gallic acid, and catechol.

What are alcohols?

Alcohols are organic compounds whose atoms contain one or more hydroxyl groups that are directly attached to a carbon atom. So, alcohols are molecules that have one or more hydroxyl groups. Alcohols are generally classified into three categories based on the structure of their molecules: primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols.Alcohols are called R-OH, where R represents an alkyl group and is a hydrocarbon group. Methanol is the simplest alcohol and R is its methyl group. Alcohols have high boiling points compared to analogous alkanes. When the number of carbon atoms in molecules increases, the boiling point of alcohols also increases. Alcohols form hydrogen bonds with other alcohol molecules also due to the presence of more than one hydroxyl group which forms intermolecular attractions. Alcohols are soluble in water with simple structures present in them. However, with increasing length of the alkyl group of the alcohol, the solubility decreases. But alcohols can be very poisonous at solution concentrations. The different types of alcohol are vermouth, vodka,

Phenols are mixtures consisting of a hydroxyl group that is bonded directly to a hydrocarbon group on an aromatic ring. Due to this bond, phenols are also considered aromatic compounds. Phenols are more acidic than alcohols, so turn litmus paper red. Phenols are called ph-OH where ph represents the phenolic ring. Diluted phenol is too strong to be used on biological tissues. Phenols have a pungent odor and a low melting point. Phenols are best known for their antiseptic uses in surgery and pharmaceutical industries. But highly concentrated phenols can burn healthy tissue. Phenols are soluble in most organic solvents such as alcohols, ketones, acids, ethers, and hydrocarbons. The different types of phenols are phenol-formaldehyde,

Key differences

1. The hydroxyl group of alcohols is attached to a saturated carbon atom, while the hydroxyl group of phenols is directly attached to a carbon molecule of an aromatic ring.
2. Alcohols are aliphatic hydrocarbons while phenols are aromatic hydrocarbons.
3. Aliphatic alcohols are usually less acidic; on the other hand, phenols are always acidic and must be diluted before use.
4. Alcohols are used in pharmaceuticals, inks, in the beverage industry and many more; on the contrary, phenols are generally used as antiseptic agents in wounds.
5. Alcohols are indicated as R-OH, where R represents an alkyl group; conversely, phenols are called ph-OH where ph represents the phenolic ring.
6. Alcohols are typically a group of compounds, while phenols are a specific compound.
7. Lower alcohols are generally colorless liquids of alcohols; On the other hand, phenols are colorless crystalline deliquescent solids.
8. Alcohols have no impact on litmus paper; on the other hand, phenols turn litmus paper red.
9. When aqueous NaOH reacts with alcohols, they show no reaction, but when reaction between phenols and NaOH occurs, it produces phenoxide ions.
10. The different types of alcohol are vermouth, vodka, gin, whiskey, brandy, cognac, beer, rum and Port wine; On the contrary, the different types of phenols are phenol-formaldehyde, toluene, benzene, aniline, nitrophenol, anisole, ferulic acid, gallic acid, and catechol.

The above discussion concludes that alcohols are colorless liquids and their hydroxyl group is attached to a saturated carbon atom, while colorless crystalline solid phenols and their hydroxyl group is attached directly to a carbon molecule of an aromatic ring.