Alcohols, ethers, epoxides, sulfides

This course is a part of Organic chemistry, a 14-course Topic series from Khan Academy.

Alcohol and thiol groups are important functional groups for applications ranging from enzyme reactions to making flexible contact lenses. We will be reviewing naming oxygen and sulfur containing compounds. Then we will be ready to learn about some reactions that involve alcohols, ethers, epoxides, thiols, and sulfides as both reactants and products.

This course contains 8 segments:

Alcohol nomenclature and properties

It can clean a wound or kill your liver. Some religions ban it, others use it in their sacred rites. In this tutorial, Sal and Jay name molecules containing alcohol groups and discuss their properties.

Synthesis of alcohols

In this tutorial, Jay shows how to synthesize alcohols using sodium borohydride, lithium aluminum hydride, and grignard reagents.

Reactions of alcohols

In this tutorial, Jay assigns oxidation states to alcohols, shows an oxidation mechanism using the Jones reagent, shows the formation of nitrate esters from alcohols, and demonstrates how to make alkyl halides from alcohols. Biochemical redox reactions are also discussed.

Nomenclature and properties of ethers

In this tutorial, Sal and Jay name ethers and discuss the physical properties of ethers.

Synthesis and cleavage of ethers

In this tutorial, Jay shows how to synthesize ethers using the Williamson ether synthesis and how to cleave an ether linkage using acid.

Nomenclature and preparation of epoxides

In this tutorial, Sal and Jay name epoxides. Jay also shows the preparation of epoxides and includes the stereochemistry of the reaction.

Ring-opening reactions of epoxides

In this tutorial, Sal and Jay show the SN1 and SN2 ring opening reactions of epoxides.

Thiols and sulfides

In this tutorial, Jay shows how to prepare sulfides from thiols.