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Ethanol Formula with Solved Examples

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Ethanol Formula

Small Description

Ethanol (CH3CH2OH) is the organic chemical compound belonging to the class – alcohol. The scientific name of ethanol is ethyl alcohol.

Main content

  • The scientific name/ IUPAC name of ethanol is ethyl alcohol.

  • The molecular formula for ethyl alcohol is CH3CH2OH. 

  • It belongs to class: Alcohol, one of the class categories of chemical compounds.

  • It is a primary class of alcohol. The base form is ethane (C2H5) where a hydroxyl group (-OH) substitutes one of the hydrogen atoms forming CH3CH2OH.


  • The conjugate acid for ethoxide is the chemical compound,ethanol.

  • The molecular weight of ethyl alcohol is 46.07. 

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION OF ETHYL ALCOHOL/ ETHANOL:

  1. Ethanol appears as a clear colorless liquid.

  2. It is highly volatile in nature. 

  3. It has a characteristic vinous (wine-like) smell. The fragrance is pleasant and ethereal.

  4. It has a pungent taste.

  5. Melting point of ethanol: 

-114 °C (-173 °F)

  1. Boiling point of ethanol: 173.3 °F (78.2 °C) at 760 mm Hg

  2. At 73° F the solubility of ethanol can be accounted to be  equal to or greater than 100 mg/mL. 

PRODUCTION OF ETHANOL:

  • The process of hydration of chemical compound ethylene (C2H4) is used to yield ethanol. 

  • The process of fermentation of various agricultural substances for example

  1. Corn

  2. Sugarcane

  3. Manioc etc. 

Worldwide production of ethanol is from the fermentation of sugarcane, commonly done in Brazil.

Most proportions of ethanol fuel produced worldwide is done by fermenting sugar in the starches of agricultural grains like barley sorghum, sugar beets, sugarcane and corn. 

USES OF ETHANOL:

  1. Ethanol is known to be an excellent motor fuel owing to its good octane number. 

  2. It provides excellent blending properties due to higher octane number as compared to gasoline. 

  3. The property of low flammability in air as compared to gasoline : This characteristic is helpful to lower the severity and number of vehicles catching fires. 

  4. This alkyl alcohol has a role as an 

– antiseptic drug

– A neurotoxin

– Disinfectant 

– functions to depress the functioning of CNS (central nervous system) 

– A potent teratogenic agent

– used as an disinfectant 

– antagonistic action against NMDA receptors.

  • Agonistic action against a protein kinase C.

  •  Acts as an metabolite Escherichia coli (E.coli), Saccharomyces cerevisiae, mouse and humans.

  1. Industrial uses:

  1. In dyes and fillers

  2. As lubrication agents and additives

  3. Used for adhesive purpose and as sealant chemicals.

  4. Various plant materials referred to as ‘Biomass’ are used to obtain the  renewable fuel.

6. Consumer uses:

  1. The primary ingredient in various alcoholic beverages for example wine, brandy and beer is ethanol. 

  2. Ethanol is used as an antifreeze agent 

  3. Used as fire suppressing material

  4. For pharmaceutical and research purposes

  5. Ethanol is used as a furnishing and  cleaning solvent

  6. Used to paint and coating surfaces of various materials

  7. Ingredients in dishwashers and laundry solvents.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

  • Owing to its high flammability, ethanol shouldn’t be used near open flames.

  • Inhalation of ethanol is known to cause severe headaches, cough

  • The United states’ FDA ( Food and Drug Administration) regulates the consumption of ethanol as it is a very pure form of alkyl alcohol

  • Ethanol is made unfit for drinking by addition of various denaturants. Denaturants add a bitter flavor to ethanol, discouraging its use

  • Adding denaturants doesn’t alter the chemical properties of ethanol

  • Denatured ethanol is 98% proportion of ethanol