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Alcohols vs. Phenols

The main difference between alcohols and phenols is that alcohol’s hydroxyl group is attached to a saturated carbon atom, whereas phenol’s hydroxyl group is directly bonded to a carbon molecule of an aromatic ring.

Key Differences

Hydroxyl group of alcohols are attached to a saturated carbon atom, whereas the hydroxyl group of phenols is directly bonded to a carbon molecule of an aromatic ring.
Alcohols are aliphatic hydrocarbons, while phenols are aromatic hydrocarbons.
Aliphatic alcohols are usually less acidic; on the other hand, phenols are always acidic and must be diluted before use.
Alcohols are used in pharmaceuticals, ink, in the beverage industry, and many more; on the contrary, phenols are generally used as antiseptic agents in wounds.
Alcohols show no impact on litmus paper; on the flip side, phenols turn litmus paper into the red.
When aqueous NaOH reacts with alcohols, they show no reaction, but when a reaction occurs between phenols and NaOH, it produces phenoxide ions.
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Alcohols are typically a group in compounds, whereas phenols are a specific compound.
Different types of alcohols are vermouth, vodka, gin, whiskey, brandy, cognac, beer, rum, and port-wine; on the contrary, different types of phenols are phenol-formaldehyde, toluene, benzene, aniline, nitrophenol, anisole, ferulic acid, Gallic acid, and catechol.
Harlon Moss
Sep 13, 2019
Alcohols are denoted as R-OH, where R represents alkyl group; conversely, phenols are denoted as ph-OH where ph represents the phenolic ring.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 13, 2019
Lower alcohols are generally colorless liquids of alcohols; on the other hand, phenols are crystalline colorless deliquescent solids.
Samantha Walker
Sep 13, 2019

Comparison Chart

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Alcohols are organic compounds whose atoms contain one or more hydroxyl groups which are directly bonded to a carbon atom.
Phenols are mixtures consisting of a hydroxyl group which is bonded directly to a hydrocarbon group of an aromatic ring.

Nature

Aliphatic hydrocarbons
Aromatic hydrocarbons
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Acidity

Aliphatic alcohols are less acidic than phenol
Always acidic and must be diluted before use

Applications

Used in pharmaceuticals, ink, in the beverage industry, and many more
Generally used as antiseptic agents in wounds
Aimie Carlson
Sep 13, 2019

Denotation

Denoted as R-OH, where R represents an alkyl group
Denoted as ph-OH where ph represents the phenolic ring
Janet White
Sep 13, 2019

Type

A group in compounds
A specific compound
Harlon Moss
Sep 13, 2019

Color

Colorless liquids
Crystalline colorless deliquescent solids

Litmus Paper Test

Show no impact on litmus paper
Turn litmus paper into red
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Reaction With NaOH

Show no reaction
Produces phenoxide ions

Different Types

Vermouth, vodka, gin, whiskey, brandy, cognac, beer, rum, and port-wine
Phenol formaldehyde, toluene, benzene, aniline, nitrophenol, anisole, ferulic acid, Gallic acid, and catechol
Janet White
Sep 13, 2019

Alcohols and Phenols Definitions

Alcohols

Any of a series of hydroxyl compounds, the simplest of which are derived from saturated hydrocarbons, have the general formula CnH2n+1OH, and include ethanol and methanol.

Phenols

A caustic, poisonous, white crystalline compound, C6H6O, derived from benzene and used in resins, plastics, and pharmaceuticals and in dilute form as a disinfectant. Also called carbolic acid.

Alcohols

A colorless volatile flammable liquid, C2H5OH, synthesized or obtained by fermentation of sugars and starches and widely used, either pure or denatured, as a solvent and in drugs, cleaning solutions, explosives, and intoxicating beverages. Also called ethanol, ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol.

Phenols

Any of a class of aromatic organic compounds having at least one hydroxyl group attached directly to the benzene ring.

Alcohols

Intoxicating beverages containing ethanol considered as a group
The national consumption of alcohol.

Phenols

Plural of phenol

Alcohols

Plural of alcohol

Alcohols vs. Phenols

Hydroxyl group of alcohols are attached to a saturated carbon atom, whereas the hydroxyl group of phenols is directly bonded to a carbon molecule of an aromatic ring. By nature of alcohols, they are usually aliphatic hydrocarbons, while regarding 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, ink, 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 alkyl group; conversely, phenols are denoted as ph-OH where ph represents the phenolic ring. Alcohols are typically a group in compounds, whereas phenols are a specific compound. Colorless liquids of alcohols are generally lower alcohols; on the other hand, phenols are crystalline colorless deliquescent solids. Alcohols are neutral that’s why they show no impact on litmus paper; on the flip side, as phenols are acidic so turn litmus paper into the red. By reacting with aqueous NaOH, alcohols show no reaction as a result, but when the reaction occurs between phenols and NaOH, it produces phenoxide ions as a result. Different types of alcohols are vermouth, vodka, gin, whiskey, brandy, cognac, beer, rum, and port-wine; on the contrary, 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 which are directly bonded 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 its molecules: primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols. Alcohols are denoted as R-OH, where R represents alkyl group, and it is a hydrocarbon group. Methanol is the simplest alcohol and R is its methyl group. Alcohols have high boiling points when compared with analogous alkanes. When carbon atoms of molecules are increased in number then 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 forming intermolecular attractions. Alcohols are soluble in water with simple structures present in them. Though, with the increase of alkyl group length of alcohol, the solubility decreases. But alcohols can be highly poisonous with concentrations of solutions. Different types of alcohols are vermouth, vodka, gin, whiskey, brandy, cognac, beer, rum, and port-wine.

What are Phenols?

Phenols are mixtures consisting of a hydroxyl group which is bonded directly to a hydrocarbon group of an aromatic ring. Due to this linkage, phenols are also considered as an aromatic compound. Phenols are more acidic than alcohols so turn litmus paper into the red. Phenols are denoted as ph-OH where ph represents the phenolic ring. Diluted phenol is excessively strong to be used on biological tissues. Phenols have a pungent smell and have a low melting point. Phenols are best known for their antiseptic uses in surgeries and pharmaceutical industries. But highly concentrated phenols can burn healthy tissues. Phenols are soluble in most organic solvents such as alcohols, ketones, acids, ether, and hydrocarbons. Different types of phenols are phenol-formaldehyde, toluene, benzene, aniline, nitrophenol, anisole, ferulic acid, Gallic acid, and catechol.

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