ABSTRACT
Alcohols are compounds that contain an –OH group. Alcohols are important components of many organic and biochemical compounds. Alcohols are weak Brønsted–Lowry acids that can be deprotonated to generate strong, strongly basic alkoxide nucleophiles. Neutral alcohols are also moderate nucleophiles. Alcohols cannot, however, be readily substituted because hydroxide is a poor leaving group. In this chapter, then, the core focus is on chemistry that allows for alcohol substitution and elimination by using strong Brønsted–Lowry acids or with Lewis-acidic reagents. The oxidation of alcohols, into aldehydes, ketones, and carboxylic acids (each the focus of a later chapter) will also be considered and the mechanism for each investigated in detail.
