etanolu

Etanolu, also known as ethanol, is a volatile, colorless, flammable liquid with the chemical formula C2H6O (C2H5OH). It is the simplest member of the alcohol family and is miscible with water in all proportions. It has a boiling point of 78.37 degrees Celsius and a density of about 0.789 g/cm3 at 20 °C. Ethanol forms hydrogen bonds with water and many organic solvents.

Production and sources: Ethanol is produced commercially by two primary routes. Fermentation of sugars by yeast yields bioethanol, a renewable fuel and solvent, typically from glucose, sucrose, or starch-derived sugars. Industrially, ethanol is also produced by hydrolysis of starches followed by fermentation, or by hydration of ethene (ethylene) via acid-catalyzed addition. Denatured ethanol is treated with additives to render it unfit for beverage use.

Applications: It is a widely used beverage ingredient and solvent in paints, coatings, inks, and personal care products. It is a major biofuel component in gasoline blends, known as bioethanol, used to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Ethanol also serves as an antiseptic and disinfectant in medical settings.

Safety and regulation: Ethanol is flammable and can form explosive vapors in air. Ingestion can cause intoxication and metabolic processing to acetaldehyde, then acetate. Prolonged exposure can irritate eyes and mucous membranes. Regulation varies by country; denatured ethanol is alcohol that is not suitable for drinking.

History: Fermentation of sugars has been known since antiquity, while distillation and purification of ethanol were developed in the medieval Islamic world and later in Europe.