5.1 Structures of alcohols, carboxylic acids and esters

organic molecules form the basis of living things and all contain carbon atoms.

carbon atoms bond covalently (share electrons) and form the backbone of many series of organic molecules.

series of molecules that have a general formula are called homologous series.

the alkanes and the alkenes are two homologous series made of only hydrogen and carbon atoms.

alcohols contain the functional group -O-H.

if one hydrogen atom from each alkane molecule is replaced with an -O-H group…