Chemical Reactivity of Ethanol with Hydrogen

Hydrogen production from ethanol is seen as a possible path to long-term energy sustainability, and it has exploded in popularity over the last decade. Aside from operation circumstances, the composition of the metal and the support chosen have a significant impact on hydrogen yield. Because Rh has the greatest capacity for C–C bond cleavage, Rh-based catalysts have shown to be the most active systems to date. In respect of hydrogen selectivity and stability, support was also crucial. Because of their basic characteristics and/or redox capability, MgO, CeO₂, and La₂O₃ were shown to be appropriate supports. According to the types of active metal and support, reaction pathways followed a mono-functional or bi-functional mechanism, according to a detailed examination using the spectroscopic approach. The dehydrogenation and/or dehydration of ethanol took place mostly on the support, with intermediate diffusion/transformation taking place at the metal–support interface. In the meantime, active metal has sped up the breakdown process.

Chemical Reactivity of Ethanol with Hydrogen

Numerous key chemical processes involving alcohols solely involve the oxygen-hydrogen link, leaving the carbon-oxygen bond intact. Salt production with acids and bases is a good example.

C₂H₅OH + Na⁺NH₂^– ⇌ C₂H₅O^–Na⁺ + NH₃

2C₂H₅OH + 2Na → 2C₂H₅O^–Na⁺ + H₂

Structure of Ethanol

Ethanol is most generally known as the alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. It is also known as ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol, and drinking alcohol. Ethanol, often known as EtOH, is a colourless liquid with a faint odour that is water soluble. Because it is flammable and volatile, it will quickly evaporate if left in an open container.

C₂H₆O is the chemical formula for ethanol. The chemical formula for this compound is CH₃CH₂OH orC₂H₆O. It contains nine atoms: two carbon (C) atoms, six hydrogen (H) atoms, and one oxygen (O) atom.

The chemical structure is depicted in the diagram below. A methyl group (CH₃^–), a methylene group (-CH₂^–), and a hydroxyl group (-OH) are present in the chemical structure.

Ethanol and Hydrogen

Due to the obvious carbon pollution caused by traditional fuels, the synthesis and usage of hydrogen has gotten a lot of interest. Considering the repeatability of biomass feedstocks, good processability of liquid ethanol, and high hydrogen conversion, ethanol produced by fermentation of renewable resources is of particular importance. The following process efficiently converts ethanol to the major product hydrogen (H₂)

Conclusion

Ethanol is a form of alcohol that is found in alcoholic beverages and is extensively utilised in laboratory work and chemical production. EtOH, ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, and pure alcohol are some of the other names for it. 

Ethanol’s molecular formula is CH₃CH₂OH orC₂H₅OH. The ethane backbone with a hydroxyl group is described by the abbreviated formula EtOH. An ethanol molecule’s molecular formula specifies the kind and amount of atoms of each element present.

Ethanol’s empirical formula is C₂H₅OH The empirical formula indicates the ratio of components present in ethanol but not how the atoms are bonded together.