Question 1

Which of the following statements best explains why alcohols generally have higher boiling points than ethers of similar molecular weight?

Accepted Answer

Alcohols can form hydrogen bonds with each other, while ethers cannot.

Question 2

Which of the following functional groups can act as both a hydrogen bond donor and acceptor?

Accepted Answer

Alcohol

Question 3

Rank the following compounds from most to least water soluble: alkane, ether, alcohol.

Accepted Answer

Alcohol \u003e Ether \u003e Alkane

Question 4

Which of the following best describes the product of the oxidation of a primary alcohol?

Accepted Answer

An aldehyde, which can be further oxidized to a carboxylic acid

Question 5

In the context of ethanol metabolism in the liver, which enzyme catalyzes the conversion of ethanol to acetaldehyde?

Accepted Answer

Alcohol dehydrogenase

Question 6

Which of the following statements about phenols is correct?

Accepted Answer

Phenols are more acidic than alcohols due to resonance stabilization of the conjugate base.

Question 7

A secondary alcohol is oxidized. What is the product?

Accepted Answer

A ketone

Question 8

Which of the following functional groups contains a carbonyl group bonded to at least one hydrogen atom?

Accepted Answer

Aldehyde

Question 9

Which test is used to distinguish between aldehydes and ketones by producing a silver mirror with aldehydes?

Accepted Answer

Tollens’ test

Question 10

Which of the following best describes a condensation reaction?

Accepted Answer

Two molecules combine with the loss of water

Question 11

Which of the following is a product when an aldehyde reacts with an alcohol in a non-redox reaction?

Accepted Answer

A hemiacetal

Question 12

Which of the following molecules will give a positive Benedict’s test?

Accepted Answer

Glucose (a reducing sugar with an alpha-hydroxy aldehyde)

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a property of ethers?

Accepted Answer

They can act as hydrogen bond donors.

Question 14

Which of the following best describes the difference between an aldehyde and a ketone?

Accepted Answer

An aldehyde has a carbonyl group at the end of the carbon chain, while a ketone has it within the chain.

Question 15

Which of the following is the correct equation for the oxidation of ethanol to acetic acid?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{CH_3CH_2OH \xrightarrow{[O]} CH_3CHO \xrightarrow{[O]} CH_3COOH}$$

Question 16

Which of the following is true about tertiary (3°) alcohols and their oxidation?

Accepted Answer

Tertiary alcohols cannot be oxidized under normal conditions because the carbon with the OH group has no hydrogen atoms.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the role of NAD+ in the oxidation of alcohols in the human body?

Accepted Answer

NAD+ acts as an oxidizing agent, accepting electrons and being reduced to NADH.

Question 18

Which of the following is a correct statement about the formation of cyclic hemiacetals?

Accepted Answer

Cyclic hemiacetals are formed by the intramolecular addition of an alcohol group to an aldehyde within the same molecule.

Question 19

Which of the following best explains why glucose is a reducing sugar?

Accepted Answer

Glucose can exist in equilibrium between its cyclic hemiacetal and open-chain aldehyde forms, allowing it to react with Benedict’s reagent.

Lecture 6: Oxygen Compounds: Alcohols and Carbonyls

Study Guide - Practice Questions