Ethanol

Organic compound (CH₃CH₂OH) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Ethanol (also called ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, drinking alcohol, or simply alcohol) is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH3CH2OH. It is an alcohol, with its formula also written as C2H5OH, C2H6O or EtOH, where Et stands for ethyl. Ethanol is a volatile, flammable, colorless liquid with a characteristic wine-like odor and pungent taste.[11][12] It is a psychoactive recreational drug, and the active ingredient in alcoholic drinks.

Quick facts: Names, Identifiers, Properties, Hazards, Rela... ▼
Ethanol
Full structural formula of ethanol
Full structural formula of ethanol
Skeletal formula of ethanol
Skeletal formula of ethanol
Ball-and-stick model of ethanol
Ball-and-stick model of ethanol
Space-filling model of ethanol
Space-filling model of ethanol
Sample_of_Absolute_Ethanol.jpg
Names
Pronunciation /ˈɛθənɒl/
Preferred IUPAC name
Ethanol[1]
Other names
  • Absolute alcohol
  • Alcohol
  • Cologne spirit
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Ethylic alcohol
  • EtOH
  • Ethyl alcohol
  • Ethyl hydroxide
  • Ethylene hydrate
  • Ethylol
  • Grain alcohol
  • Hydroxyethane
  • Methylcarbinol
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
3DMet
1718733
ChEBI
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
DrugBank
ECHA InfoCard 100.000.526 Edit this at Wikidata
787
KEGG
UNII
UN number UN 1170
  • InChI=1S/C2H6O/c1-2-3/h3H,2H2,1H3 checkY
    Key: LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • InChI=1/C2H6O/c1-2-3/h3H,2H2,1H3
    Key: LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYAB
  • OCC
Properties
C2H6O
Molar mass 46.069 g·mol−1
Appearance Colourless liquid
Odor wine-like, pungent[2]
Density 0.78945 g/cm3 (at 20 °C)[3]
Melting point −114.14 ± 0.03[3] °C (−173.45 ± 0.05 °F; 159.01 ± 0.03 K)
Boiling point 78.23 ± 0.09[3] °C (172.81 ± 0.16 °F; 351.38 ± 0.09 K)
Miscible
log P −0.18
Vapor pressure 5.95 kPa (at 20 °C)
Acidity (pKa) 15.9 (H2O), 29.8 (DMSO)[4][5]
−33.60·10−6 cm3/mol
1.3611[3]
Viscosity 1.2 mPa·s (at 20 °C), 1.074 mPa·s (at 25 °C)[6]
1.69 D[7]
Hazards
GHS labelling:
GHS02: Flammable GHS07: Exclamation mark
Danger
H225, H319
P210, P233, P240, P241, P242, P305+P351+P338
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 2: Intense or continued but not chronic exposure could cause temporary incapacitation or possible residual injury. E.g. chloroformFlammability 3: Liquids and solids that can be ignited under almost all ambient temperature conditions. Flash point between 23 and 38 °C (73 and 100 °F). E.g. gasolineInstability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogenSpecial hazards (white): no code
2
3
0
Flash point 14 °C (Absolute)[8]
Lethal dose or concentration (LD, LC):
  • 7340 mg/kg (oral, rat)
  • 7300 mg/kg (mouse)
NIOSH (US health exposure limits):
PEL (Permissible)
 TWA 1000 ppm (1900 mg/m3)[9]
REL (Recommended)
 TWA 1000 ppm (1900 mg/m3)[9]
IDLH (Immediate danger)
 N.D.[9]
Safety data sheet (SDS) [10]
Related compounds
Related compounds
Supplementary data page
Ethanol (data page)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Ethanol is naturally produced by the fermentation process of sugars by yeasts or via petrochemical processes such as ethylene hydration. Historically it was used as a general anesthetic, and has modern medical applications as an antiseptic, disinfectant, solvent for some medications, and antidote for methanol poisoning and ethylene glycol poisoning.[13][14] It is used as a chemical solvent and in the synthesis of organic compounds, and as a fuel source. Ethanol also can be dehydrated to make ethylene, an important chemical feedstock. As of 2006, world production of ethanol was 51 gigalitres (1.3×1010 US gallons), coming mostly from Brazil and the U.S.[15]