Question

Compare the reactivity of alcohols with the length of the R-group.

Answer 1

As you increase the chain of a alcohol, the reactivity decreases. This is due to an increase in disorder and decrease in intermolecular attraction between molecules.

For instance:

Answer 2

In a solution with ethanol, it might be easier for the attraction to happen between other ethanol molecules because the branching is relatively short, not much hindrance

Answer 3

But with 8-methyl nonanol, you could have this:

Answer 4

Thank you!