CH3CH2OH

CH3CH2OH is the chemical formula for ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol. It is a simple, polar, colorless liquid at room temperature with the molecular formula C2H6O and the structural formula CH3–CH2–OH. Ethanol is miscible with water and many organic solvents, and it forms hydrogen bonds, which contribute to its relatively high boiling point for a small alcohol (78.37 °C). It can be oxidized to acetaldehyde and then to acetic acid.

Ethanol is produced commercially by two main routes. It can be obtained by the fermentation of carbohydrates (sugars) using yeast, a process central to beer, wine, and spirits production. Alternatively, it can be manufactured by the chemical hydration of ethylene using acid catalysts. In industry, denatured ethanol is treated as an industrial chemical to render it unsuitable for drinking.

Common uses for ethanol include as a beverage component and solvent, a starting material for the synthesis of various chemicals, and, in the form of bioethanol or alcohol blends, as a renewable fuel or fuel additive. It is also used as an antiseptic and disinfectant in healthcare and consumer products, and as a solvent in laboratory and pharmaceutical applications.

Safety and regulation are important considerations. Ethanol is highly flammable, with vapors that can form explosive mixtures with air. It can be intoxicating and, in higher exposures, may affect the central nervous system and cause irritation. Storage and handling require precautions, and many jurisdictions regulate its production, sale, and denatured forms.