Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol, is flammable, volatile liquid that has no color. This chemical element is commonly used in producing fuel, alcohol beverages, and in medicine. It is a strait chain alcohol with the following formula:

H – H

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H – C – C – O – H

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H – H                       (C₂H₅OH)

Molecular mass of ethanol is 46.07 g/mol^-1. 174°F is its melting temperature.

The Process of Making Ethanol

There are two ways to produce ethanol: biological and artificial. One of the earliest methods of getting this chemical element is obtained through fermentation of sugar. Multiple grains (e.g. fruits, potato, beet, corn and cane sugar molasses) are used in beverage alcohol production and much of that is utilized in the industry. “Fermentation is an anaerobic controlled transformation of an organic compound. With respect to alcohol, we are referring to the conversion of sugars to ethanol by microscopic yeasts in the absence of oxygen” (Boggan). Under the effects of yeast ferments glucose decomposes on ethanol and carbon dioxide:

C₆H₁₂O₆ = 2C₂H₅OH + 2CO₂­

Another artificial way to get ethanol is achieved through dehydration of ethylene. Under precise conditions C₂H₄ (ethylene) and water are combined together and form ethanol. Significant benefits of this process are that the chemical reaction can be a process “written in one line” and associated with safety along with environmental protection. It can only occur under the temperature of 536 – 572 ° F and with the help of H₃PO₄ (phosphoric acid):

CH₂=CH₂ + H – OH ® CH₃ – CH₂OH (ethanol)

An interesting fact about this reaction is that scientists may get absolutely another reaction if some of the conditions are changed:

CH₃CH₂OH → H₂C=CH₂ (diethyl ether) + H – OH

Use of ethanol

Ethanol as a fuel

The use of this chemical element is commonly associated with fuel production. Though only several countries use ethanol as a primary source of fuel manufacturing, scientists understand its tremendous advantage over the other ways to create petroleum. Unlike other types of fuel, when included in gasoline, this chemical element lessens ground-level ozone formation. Not only does it diminish hydrocarbon emissions and unstable organic components, but also decreases carcinogenic compounds formation. Ethanol can be used as petroleum for cars and as a fuel for rockets. Unfortunately, due to its physical conditions it cannot be purely used