Ethanolic

Ethanolic is an adjective relating to ethanol, the simple two‑carbon alcohol with the chemical formula C2H5OH. In scientific and medical contexts, ethanolic describes substances that contain ethanol or are prepared using ethanol as a solvent. The term is commonly applied to solutions that are described as ethanolic, as well as to extracts obtained by soaking plant or other materials in ethanol, known as ethanolic extracts. When water is present in the solvent, the mixture may be referred to as hydroalcoholic or as an ethanolic–water solution.

In practice, ethanolic solutions are widely used in chemistry, pharmacology, and natural product research because ethanol can dissolve a broad range of compounds and is relatively user‑friendly compared with many other organic solvents. Ethanol’s miscibility with water allows the preparation of solutions with varying polarity, which is useful for extracting both polar and moderately nonpolar constituents. In pharmacology and traditional medicine, tinctures and extracts are often described as ethanolic; the ethanol acts as solvent and preservative, contributing to the stability of the preparation.

Safety and regulatory considerations: ethanol is flammable and, in higher concentrations, can be hazardous if ingested or inhaled in large quantities. Pharmaceutical and food‑grade ethanolic preparations are manufactured under quality control, with ethanol content reported as part of formulation specifications. The term ethanolic thus helps differentiate substances prepared with ethanol from those prepared with other solvents.

See also ethanol, tincture, hydroalcoholic solution.