Do Alcohols Undergo Nucleophilic Substitution?

An alcohol has a strongly basic leaving group (HO-) that cannot be displaced by a nucleophile. Therefore, an alcohol cannot undergo a nucleophilic substitution reaction.

Do alcohols undergo electrophilic substitution?

Substitution of the Hydroxyl Hydrogen

Because of its enhanced acidity, the hydrogen atom on the hydroxyl group is rather easily replaced by other substituents. ... The oxygen atom of an alcohol is nucleophilic and is therefore prone to attack by electrophiles.

What reactions do alcohols undergo?

The most common reactions of alcohols can be classified as oxidation, dehydration, substitution, esterification, and reactions of alkoxides.