# Methanol (CH₃OH) and bromoethane (C₂H₅Br) are examples of two different homologous series of organic compounds. Describe the key differences between an alcohol and a halogenoalkane, including the functional group present in each, and explain how a halogenoalkane can be converted back into an alcohol.

> Eduqas A-Level Chemistry — 3.3 Alcohols and halogenoalkanes · Describe · 5 marks

> Organic chemists frequently interconvert alcohols and halogenoalkanes in the laboratory. Methanol belongs to the alcohol series and bromoethane belongs to the halogenoalkane series.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Alcohols contain the hydroxyl (–OH) functional group
2. Halogenoalkanes contain a halogen atom (F, Cl, Br or I) as the functional group / in place of a hydrogen atom
3. A halogenoalkane can be converted into an alcohol by reacting with aqueous sodium hydroxide (NaOH) / by hydrolysis with water or aqueous alkali
4. The halogen atom is replaced by a hydroxyl (–OH) group during this reaction
5. A halide ion (e.g. Br⁻) is produced as a by-product of the reaction

## Key terms

- [alcohol](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/alcohol)
- [halogenoalkane](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/halogenoalkane)
- [functional group](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/functional-group)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/methanol-ch-oh-and-bromoethane-c-h-br-are-aa79f567) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.