Ethanol commonly referred to as ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol is an organic compound widely used and has the formula. Generally associated as the component used in producing alcoholic drinks, it serves many other purposes. In this article you will read about the chemical properties of ethanol, its production, uses and hazard identification data.
Ethanol physical and Chemical characteristics
Ethanol is an flammable liquid, transparent and non-coloured liquid that has a familiar smell and taste. It is an alcohol and thus is classified under compounds containing a carbon base with an –OH ( hydroxyl) functional group.
Molecular Formula: C2H5OH
Molecular Weight: 46.07 g/mol
Boiling Point: 78.37 °C (173.1 °F)
Melting Point: -114.1 °C (-173.4 °F)
Density: 0.789 g/mL (at 20 °C)
How is Ethanol Produced?
Fermentation:
As a natural compound ethanol can be obtained naturally through the process of fermentation of sugars and starches using yeast. While during this process yeast ferments sugars into simple sugars and splits them to produce carbon dioxide and ethanol.This method is widely used to create ethanol for spirits and bioethanol fuel grades of gasoline.
Common Sources: Potatoes, rice, corn, sugarcane, wheat, barley and all other crops containing carbohydrates.
2. Synthetic Production:
There are also synthetic ethanol that could be prepared from petrochemical raw materials. Ethylene obtained from petroleum or natural gas is generally used in the common method called acid-catalyzed hydration.This method is very economical and widely applied in industrial ethanol producing processes.
3.Distillation:
Fermentation is employed in the production of ethanol, particularly in the concentration of ethanol in processes that produce ethanol of the required high purity for use in industrial processes as well as in the production of potable spirits.
Uses of Ethanol:
Alcoholic Beverages:
Ethanol is used as an active ingredient in beer wines and spirits popularly known as alcohol. It belongs to the group of drugs that affects the central nervous system in a way that produces depression and is accompanied by a sense of excitement.The preparation of wine has been in existence for about five thousand years, and ethanol is the most important psychotropic agent.
Solvent in cosmetics, perfumes and in Pharmaceuticals:
Ethanol is a good solvent and can dissolve polar and non polar compounds because it can hydrogen bond with polar solute and can also use dispersion forces for nonpolar solute. For this reason, it finds application in cosmetics, perfumes together with pharmaceutical products where it serves as the vehicle for the active principles and the fragrances.In perfume formulation ethanol is by far the most preferred because it acts as the solvent that allows the necessary distribution of the actual scents within the formulation of essential oils and other scenting materials that are in a perfuming process.
3. Fuel and Biofuel:
It is used more and more often as a renewable sort of fuel. This one is usually mixed with gasoline to form ethanol-gasoline blends; for instance, E10, being a ten percent ethanol blend and E85 being an eighty-five percent ethanol blend. Bioethanol derived from plant biomass is a renewable energy source and has less potential to emit greenhouse gasses than fossil fuels.
4.Antiseptic and Disinfectant:
Alcoholic ethanol is utilized in sanitizers and disinfectants as a result of bactericidal stages in it. It also destroys bacteria, fungi and most viruses because these elements have their proteins unwound and their lipids dissolved by it. Alcohol based hand rubs especially ethanol based have gained much popularity as a result of COVID 19 with concentrations of between 60% – 80%.
5. Laboratory Reagent and Chemical Intermediate:
Ethanol also provides stiffness in composite structures and is widely used when exposed to elevated temperatures and pressure.
1. In synthesis, it can be successfully applied as a feedstock in further production of other chemicals like ethyl acetate, diethyl ether, acetic acid etc.
2. Petro Mitchum/Libraries – November 2010 Safety and Health Effects of Ethanol
Exposure Risks:
Ethanol consumption is scalable and moderate usage, in the case of alcoholic beverages, is not toxic but risky is chronic alcohol and alcoholism leading to liver disease, and alcohol poisoning. As to the effects of ethanol, repeated inhaling of ethanol vapors irritate the respiratory system, and high concentrations of ethanol bring about disorder of the CNS, weakness of the CNS, dizziness, drowsiness, and respiratory failure.
Handling Precautions:Â
Ethanol is an inflammable material and so should be handled and mixed with other compounds at a clean environment or at a place that does not contain fire sparks and flames. They are very common in industrial and laboratory practice and, although they are generally harmless, it is recommended to use appropriate ventilations and protective equipment when dealing with them.Â
Environmental Impact:
Bioethanol production is more sustainable than fossil because it is derived from renewable plant sources. Therefore while use of crops for bioethanol is good it poses problems of land use change and food security.
Conclusion:
Ethanol is used widely as a solvent in industries, food processing industries as a disinfectant, as a poisoning agent, in the manufacture of beverages such as beers and wines, and as a fuel. It is believed that as the globe shifts from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources ethanol will have even a greater role to play in the energy market. But the acceptable, safe and rational utilization, especially, drinking and handling of ethanol is very important because of the alarming health and hazardous effects on the environment.