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Ethanol (Ethyl Alcohol) (C₂H₅OH) — Properties, Uses & Safety

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Overview

The alcohol found in alcoholic beverages; also widely used as a disinfectant, solvent, and fuel additive.

IUPAC Name: ethanol
CAS Number: 64-17-5
PubChem CID: 702
Molecular Formula: C₂H₅OH
Molar Mass: 46.07 g/mol
State at STP: liquid
Appearance: Colorless liquid with characteristic odor

Physical Properties

Melting Point: -114.1 °C
Boiling Point: 78.37 °C
Density: 0.789 g/cm³
Specific Heat: 2.44 J/(g·K)
ΔH°f: -277 kJ/mol
ΔG°f: -174.8 kJ/mol
S°: 160.7 J/(mol·K)

Composition

Element	Count	Mass %
C	2	52.14%
H	6	13.13%
O	1	34.73%

Bonding

Bond Type	Count	Between
single	8	C-C, C-H, C-O, O-H

Reactions

Combustion of ethanol

C2H5OH + 3 O2 → 2 CO2 + 3 H2O

combustion

Fermentation of glucose

C6H12O6 → 2 C2H5OH + 2 CO2

organic

Safety Information

GHS Hazard Codes

H225H302H319

GHS Pictograms

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