CHEMISTRY GUIDE

Topic 2.10 ALCOHOLS Preparation of ethanol Ethanol as a biofuel Elimination reactions of alcohols Oxidation reactions of alcohols Tests for aldehydes ALCOHOLS Alcohols are saturated molecules containing an –OH group. The H atom in the O-H bond can hydrogen bond with other alcohol molecules and with water, which is why alcohols have relatively high boiling points and many are soluble in water. Ethanol, C 2 H 5 OH, is the most commercially important of the alcohols. In pure form it is used as a fuel and as a solvent, and in impure form is present in alcoholic drinks. The manufacture of ethanol Ethanol can be manufactured industrially in two ways – fermentation of sugars and hydration of ethene . The method used depends on the desired purity of the ethanol and the availability of the different raw materials in the country where it is manufactured. i)   ...