alcoholate

chemical compound

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June 18, 2026

Quick Summary

An alcoholate, also known as an alkoxide, is formed when a strong base deprotonates an alcohol, removing a hydrogen atom from the hydroxyl group. This results in an alkoxide ion (R-O⁻) and a hydrogen atom. Alcohols themselves are weak acids, with simple ones like methanol and ethanol having acidity comparable to water.

Alkoxides are useful in organic synthesis. For instance, they are key reagents in the Williamson ether synthesis, where an alkoxide ion attacks an alkyl halide to form an ether. Alcohols can undergo various reactions, including oxidation, dehydration, substitution, esterification, and reactions involving alkoxides. They are versatile intermediates in creating other chemical compounds.1

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Thomas Graham
…salts and alcohol, the “alcoholates,” analogues of the hydrates. In his final paper he described palladium hydride, the first known instance of a solid compound formed from a metal and a gas.
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…salts and alcohol, the “alcoholates,” analogues of the hydrates. In his final paper he described palladium hydride, the first known instance of a solid compound formed from a metal and a gas.
Read More