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Alcohol is a type of organic compound that carries at least one hydroxyl group bound to a saturated carbon atom. The most common alcohol found in alcoholic drinks is ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, or simply alcohol. It is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid with a pungent taste and is produced by the fermentation of sugars by yeasts or petrochemical processes. Ethanol has the chemical formula CH3CH2OH, also written as C2H6O or EtOH, where Et is the pseudo-element symbol for ethyl.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chemical structure | An organic compound with the chemical formula CH3CH2OH, or C2H6O or EtOH, where Et is the pseudoelement symbol for ethyl. |
| IUPAC name | Ethanol |
| Alkyl group | Ethyl group, or ―CH2CH3 |
| Type of organic compound | Carries at least one hydroxyl ( −OH) functional group bound to a saturated carbon atom |
| Other names | Ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, drinking alcohol |
| State | Volatile, flammable, colorless liquid |
| Taste | Pungent |
| Psychoactive properties | Yes, a depressant and a drug |
| Production | Fermentation process of sugars by yeasts or via petrochemical processes such as ethylene hydration |
| Uses | Used as an anesthetic, antiseptic, disinfectant, solvent for some medications, and antidote for methanol poisoning and ethylene glycol poisoning. Also used as a fuel source for lamps, stoves, and internal combustion engines. |
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What You'll Learn
- Ethanol: the chemical structure of ethanol is CH3CH2OH
- Ethyl alcohol: ethanol is also known as ethyl alcohol
- Methyl alcohol: ethanol and methanol are the two best-known alcohols
- Fermentation: ethanol is produced by the fermentation of yeast
- Synthetic production: ethanol can also be produced synthetically
Ethanol: the chemical structure of ethanol is CH3CH2OH
Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, drinking alcohol, or simply alcohol, is the type of alcohol found in liquor. It is an organic compound with the chemical structure CH3CH2OH, also written as C2H6O or EtOH, where Et is the pseudoelement symbol for ethyl.
The term "ethanol" was coined in 1892, blending "ethane" with the "-ol" ending of "alcohol". The suffix "-ol" is used in the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) chemical name of substances where the hydroxyl group (―OH) is the functional group with the highest priority. The "ol" ending in non-IUPAC names, such as paracetamol or cholesterol, also typically indicates that the substance is an alcohol.
Ethanol is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid with a pungent taste. It is the main alcohol present in alcoholic drinks and is produced by the fermentation process of sugars by yeasts or via petrochemical processes such as ethylene hydration. It has a long history of use, with records of its use as an intoxicant dating back to ancient times.
As a central nervous system depressant, ethanol is one of the most commonly consumed psychoactive drugs. It is the second most consumed drug globally, after caffeine. Despite its psychoactive, addictive, and carcinogenic properties, ethanol is readily available and legal for sale in many countries.
In addition to its use in alcoholic beverages, ethanol has various other applications. It is used in toiletries, pharmaceuticals, and fuels, and is an important chemical solvent and feedstock for the synthesis of organic compounds.
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Ethyl alcohol: ethanol is also known as ethyl alcohol
Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol, is a type of organic compound with the chemical formula CH3CH2OH. It is a simple alcohol with two to three carbon atoms, alongside methanol and propanol. It is also known as grain alcohol or drinking alcohol.
Ethanol is a colourless, flammable liquid with a strong taste. It is a central nervous system depressant and is the main alcohol present in alcoholic drinks. It is the active ingredient in alcoholic beverages and is the second most consumed drug globally, after caffeine.
Ethanol is naturally produced by the fermentation process of sugars by yeasts. It can also be produced via petrochemical processes such as ethylene hydration. Ethanol can be dehydrated to make ethylene, an important chemical feedstock. It is used as a chemical solvent and in the synthesis of organic compounds. It also has medical applications as an antiseptic, disinfectant, and solvent for some medications.
The term 'ethanol' was coined in 1892, blending 'ethane' with the '-ol' ending of 'alcohol'. The 'eth-' prefix and the qualifier 'ethyl' in 'ethyl alcohol' were derived from the name 'ethyl' assigned in 1834 to the group C2H5 by Justus Liebig. The word 'alcohol' originally referred to ethanol (ethyl alcohol) specifically and came from the Arabic al-kuḥl, a powdered ore of antimony used as a cosmetic.
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Methyl alcohol: ethanol and methanol are the two best-known alcohols
Alcohol is any chemical compound with an -OH functional group (hydroxyl) bound to a saturated carbon atom. Alcohols are organic compounds that are derivatives of water (H2O) where one of the hydrogen atoms is replaced by an alkyl group. The suffix '-ol' is used in the IUPAC chemical name of all substances where the hydroxyl group is the functional group with the highest priority.
The two best-known alcohols are ethanol and methanol. Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol, is the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. It is produced by the fermentation of fruit juices and grains such as corn, wheat, rye, and barley. Ethanol is also used in toiletries, pharmaceuticals, and as a sterilizer in hospitals.
Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, is a more toxic alternative to ethanol and is not suitable for human consumption. It is synthesized by heating wood chips in the absence of air, breaking down some of the carbohydrates in the wood to form methanol vapour. Methanol is widely used as an industrial solvent and in the creation of formaldehyde for use in synthetic resins.
Both ethanol and methanol are simple alcohols, along with propanol. They are industrially synthesized in large quantities and used as chemical precursors, fuels, and solvents.
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Fermentation: ethanol is produced by the fermentation of yeast
Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol, is the primary alcohol found in alcoholic drinks. It is produced through a process called ethanol fermentation, which involves the breakdown of sugar-based substances by yeast. This process is facilitated by microorganisms, including bacteria and yeasts, that produce ethanol as the major fermentation product from carbohydrates. The dominant feedstock for ethanol production varies depending on the region; in warmer climates, sugarcane is the primary source, while corn or sugar beets are used in temperate regions.
Ethanol fermentation, also known as alcoholic fermentation, is a biological process that converts sugars such as glucose, fructose, and sucrose into cellular energy, producing ethanol and carbon dioxide as by-products. This process is summarised by the chemical equation: C6H12O6 + 2 ADP + 2 Pi → 2 C2H5OH + 2 CO2 + 2 ATP. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is commonly used for ethanol fermentation due to its hardiness and high ethanol tolerance. However, the bacterium Zymomonas mobilis has a higher specific ethanol productivity and yield from glucose and sucrose.
The production of ethanol through fermentation is the oldest and most economically important biotechnological process, particularly in the creation of alcoholic beverages. Yeast plays a vital role in the production of these beverages, and the selection of suitable yeast strains is crucial to maximise alcohol yield and maintain beverage sensory quality. Wine fermentation, for example, requires strains that are high producers of ethanol to reach values of 11-13% v/v, which is typical for this beverage. On the other hand, beers and ciders have lower ethanol content, with a balanced and distinctive sensory profile.
In addition to its use in alcoholic beverages, ethanol fermentation is also employed in the production of ethanol for fuel. This process is utilised in the United States, where corn is the primary feedstock, resulting in the annual production of approximately 4.5 billion gallons of ethanol for transportation fuel. Furthermore, ethanol fermentation plays a role in bread-making, as yeast organisms consume sugars in the dough and produce ethanol and carbon dioxide as waste products. The carbon dioxide forms bubbles, causing the dough to rise.
While ethanol is primarily produced through fermentation, it can also be manufactured from ethylene obtained from cracked petroleum hydrocarbons. However, the alcoholic beverage industry generally avoids using synthetic ethanol due to the presence of impurities.
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Synthetic production: ethanol can also be produced synthetically
Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol, is the primary alcohol in alcoholic drinks. It is a colourless, flammable liquid with a distinct odour. Ethanol is typically produced by the fermentation of crops, with 93% of the world's ethanol being made this way. However, it can also be produced synthetically.
Synthetic ethanol is manufactured through a complex three-stage process that produces a single grade of ethanol (DRAA – Double Rectified Absolute Alcohol) with 99% purity. This synthetic ethanol is chemically identical to ethanol produced by fermentation. However, the fermentation process often results in a product with impurities, which must be removed to achieve the same purity as synthetic ethanol. The synthetic production of ethanol involves using ethylene, a feedstock extracted from crude oil or natural gas, or through the fermentation of sugars from plants or other agricultural/non-agricultural products.
The synthetic ethanol production process can be broken down into three main steps. Firstly, the feedstock is chosen, with the most common grains being corn or wheat kernels. The chosen grain is then milled, or ground into a meal/flour, which deals with the starches, which are long chains of sugar molecules. Secondly, liquefaction takes place, where water is added to the milled kernels to create a 'slurry'. This slurry is then heated to break down the starch molecules into smaller pieces. Finally, the fermentation process occurs, where the sugars are converted into ethanol.
Another method of synthetic ethanol production involves the direct catalytic hydration of ethene in the presence of steam, using phosphoric acid adsorbed on silica as a catalyst in a fixed-bed reactor. This reaction is reversible and exothermic, with low temperatures, high pressure, and high steam concentration favouring the conversion of the feedstock to ethanol. To achieve acceptable reaction rates, a temperature of approximately 500 K is used, along with a catalyst. Higher pressures can increase the yield of ethene but also result in higher capital and operating costs.
Synthetic ethanol is not used for potable or fuel ethanol but is instead utilised in industrial applications. It is available in two main grades: hydrous ethanol (96% purity) and anhydrous ethanol (99% purity). Hydrous ethanol is used in applications where the presence of impurities is less stringent, such as automotive screen wash, paints, inks, dyes, and cosmetics. On the other hand, anhydrous ethanol is a higher-quality grade with fewer impurities, making it suitable for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and inks.
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Frequently asked questions
The chemical structure of alcohol, also known as ethanol or ethyl alcohol, is CH3CH2OH. It is an organic compound with one or more hydroxyl (―OH) groups attached to a carbon atom of an alkyl group (hydrocarbon chain).
The suffix for alcohol is "-ol", which is used in the IUPAC chemical name of all substances where the hydroxyl group is the functional group with the highest priority.
The prefix for alcohol depends on the number of carbon atoms to which the hydroxyl group is bonded. If the hydroxyl group is bonded to only one carbon atom, it is a primary alcohol and has no prefix. If it is bonded to two carbon atoms, it is a secondary alcohol and the prefix is "hydroxy-".
