CHEM - Reactions Involving Ethanol

• Ethanol is a member of the homologous series of alcohols.
• It contains the -OH functional group.
• Molecular formula: C₂H₅OH
• Ethanol is the alcohol found in alcoholic drinks.

👇 There are three different ways ethanol can be oxidized 👇

I. Complete Combustion

When ethanol burns with heated oxygen, it will undergo complete combustion

C₂H₅OH + 3O₂ → 2CO₂ + 3H₂O

II. Microbial oxidation

Microbes in the air use oxygen in the air to form a weak solution of ethanoic acid.

C₂H₅OH + O₂ → CH₃COOH + H₂O

III. Heating with potassium dichromate(VI) in dilute sulfuric acid

For IGCSE Chemistry, you need to know 2 methods of manufacturing alcohol.

1. Hydration of Ethene

• Ethene is heated with steam in the presence of a catalyst (phosphoric acid).
• The reaction is done under high temperature and high pressure.

II. Fermentation of Glucose

• Enzymes from yeasts are used during the fermentation of glucose into ethanol.
• The reaction takes place in the absence of oxygen at a temperature around 30°C.

Comparing hydration of ethene and fermentation of glucose

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