The table below gives some data about members of a homologous series of compounds called the secondary alcohols.
| Alcohol | Molecular formula | Relative formula mass | Boiling point in ∘C^\circ\text{C}∘C |
|---|---|---|---|
| propan-2-ol | C3H7OH\text{C}_3\text{H}_7\text{OH}C3H7OH | 60 | 82 |
| butan-2-ol | C4H9OH\text{C}_4\text{H}_9\text{OH}C4H9OH | 99 | |
| pentan-2-ol | C5H11OH\text{C}_5\text{H}_{11}\text{OH}C5H11OH | 88 | 119 |
| hexan-2-ol | 102 | 136 | |
| heptan-2-ol | C7H15OH\text{C}_7\text{H}_{15}\text{OH}C7H15OH | 116 | |
| octan-2-ol | C8H17OH\text{C}_8\text{H}_{17}\text{OH}C8H17OH | 130 | 179 |
Complete the table by:
What does the data show about the relationship between boiling point and relative formula mass?
The molecular formula of propene is C3H6\text{C}_3\text{H}_6C3H6. Propan-2-ol and propene belong to different homologous series. Explain how the formulae of these compounds show that they are in different series.
Draw the displayed formulae for the two straight-chain isomeric alcohols with the molecular formula C4H10O\text{C}_4\text{H}_{10}\text{O}C4H10O.
What is the name given to compounds that have the same molecular formula but different displayed/structural formulae?
Under suitable conditions, propan-2-ol can be dehydrated to form propene and water. Write a chemical equation for this dehydration reaction.
What is the name given to this type of reaction (other than dehydration)?
Suggest a catalyst needed for this reaction.
