ethanols

Ethanol, or ethyl alcohol, is a simple, volatile alcohol with the formula C2H5OH. It is a clear, colorless liquid at room temperature, miscible with water, and has a boiling point of 78.37°C. Ethanol is widely used as a beverage ingredient, solvent, fuel, and chemical feedstock. In industry, it serves as a precursor to ethyl esters and various pharmaceuticals; in consumer products, it appears as a disinfectant and solvent.

Production: Ethanol is produced mainly by fermentation of sugars by yeast, converting glucose to ethanol and carbon dioxide. This process underpins alcoholic beverages and bioethanol fuels. A secondary route is the petrochemical process of hydrating ethylene, in which ethylene reacts with water in the presence of acid catalysts to give ethanol. This route is used in some industrial settings, often powered by petrochemical feedstocks.

Uses: Beverages with varying alcohol content; fuel and fuel additives (gasoline blends such as E10 or higher). Ethanol is also used as a solvent in inks, varnishes, and cleaning products, and as a denaturant for other industrial alcohols.

Safety and regulation: Ethanol is flammable and can cause intoxication; ingestion in large amounts can be toxic. It is metabolized in the liver to acetaldehyde and then to acetate. Denatured ethanol contains additives to make it unpalatable. Regulations govern production, labeling, and use as a fuel or consumable.