Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
ETHYLENE DERIVATIVES
E
THANOL
(Also called ethyl alcohol, grain alcohol, and industrial alcohol)
H
3
PO
4
CH
2
=
CH
2
+
H
2
O
CH
3
CH
2
OH
(ethanol)
Other Methods of Preparation
Fermentation
enzyme
C
6
H
12
O
6
CH
3
CH
2
OH
+
CO
2
glucose
Uses
Solvents, chemical intermediates, engine fuel.
Suppliers
Union Carbide, Pharmco Products, Grain Processing Corp.
Sasol North America, Midwest Grain Products, and others.
Ethanol is the alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine, gin,
vodka, etc. In that form, it is produced by the
equation shown
above, as is ethanol for use as fuel in internal combustion engines. The source
of carbohydrates for fuel production is corn, so this use is promoted by
agricultural interests. In the U.S., ethanol is added to gasoline in amounts
up to 10%, but in a few countries, Brazil for example, some car engines have
been modified to run on pure ethanol. Ethanol contains less energy than
gasoline because it is already partially oxidized (contains oxygen), but it
contributes to cleaner burning fuel and less air pollution. About 10 billion
pounds of ethanol were produced in the U.S. in 2000.
fermentation
