There are three classes of alcohols:

Naming: Alcohols can be named either using a name for the hydrocarbon group followed by the ending 'anol' or by naming the hydroxy group (OH group) together with its position of attachment:

Forming Alcohols:

Reactions of halides with hydroxide ion:

RX + OH^- --> ROH + X^-

Reduction of acids, ketones, and aldehydes:

R₁COOH --> R₁CH₂OH

R₁COR₂ --> R₁CHOHR₂

R₁CHO --> R₁CH₂OH

Hydrolysis of esters:

R₂COOR₁ + H₂O-->R₁OH + R₂COOH

Reactions of Alcohols:

A primary alcohol can be oxidized to an aldehyde or a carboxylic acid:

  RCH₂OH --> RCHO --> RCOOH

A secondary alcohol can be oxidized to a ketone:

  R₁CHOHR₂ --> R₁COR₂

An alcohol can react with a carboxylic acid to form an ester:

  R₁OH + R₂COOH --> R₂COOR₁

About alcohols (from chemguide, Jim Clark^© 2006). An alcohol contains an -OH group. Water would be the simplest alcohol -- except that it is not organic (and, therefore, not an alcohol). Generally speaking, alcohols are expected to mix well together. Mixing with water is another matter. Methanol and ethanol mix with water in all proportions (they are miscible in all proportions). As the hydrocarbon chains become longer, the solubility changes. Generally speaking, an alcohol is less water soluble the longer its hydrocarbon chain. By the same token, the longer the chain, the more surface active an alcohol is likely to be.