Chemical properties of ethanol - Q&A

  Acidic

  The ethanol molecule contains polarized oxygen-hydrogen bonds, which when ionized produce alkoxy anions and protons.

  CH3CH2OH→ (reversible) CH3CH2O- + H+

The pKa of ethanol is 15.9, which is similar to water.

EthanolAcidicWeak, but the presence of ionization equilibrium is sufficient for the isotope exchange between it and deuterium water to proceed rapidly.

  CH3CH2OH+D2O→ (reversible) CH3CH2OD+HOD

Because ethanol can ionize a very small number of protons, it can only react with a small amount of metals (mainly alkali metals) to form corresponding alcohol metals and hydrogens:

  2CH2CH2OH + 2Na→2CH3CH2ONa + H2

When the alcohol metal encounters water, it is rapidly hydrolyzed to form alcoholAlkali

 

Conclusion:

 

(1) Ethanol can react with sodium metal to produce hydrogen, but it is not as violent as water reacting with sodium metal.

 

(2) Reactive metals (potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, aluminum) can replace the hydrogen in the hydroxyl group of ethanol.

 

  Reactions with acetic acid

 

Ethanol can be esterified with acetic acid catalyzed by concentrated sulfuric acid to form ethyl acetate.

 

  CH3CH2OH + CH3COOH →CH3COOCH2CH3 + H2O

 

  reacts with hydrohalogenic acid

 

  

 

  C2H5OH + HBr→C2H5Br + H2O

 

  C2H5OH + HX→C2H5X + H2O

 

Note: Normally usedSodium bromideWithSulfuric acidThe mixture is heated with ethanol to carry out this reaction. Therefore, reddish-brown gas is often produced.

 

  Oxidation reaction

 

  

 

(1) Burning: emits a light blue flame that emits a lot of heat

 

  C2H5OH+3O2→2CO2+3H2O

 

(2) Catalytic oxidation: It is carried out with heating and the presence of a catalyst (Cu or Ag).

 

  2CH3CH2OH+O2→2CH3CHO+2H2O(Industrial system.)Acetaldehyde

 

  C2H5OH+CuO→CH3CHO+Cu+H2O

 

That is, the essence of catalytic oxidation (made of CuCatalyst

 

  Eliminate reactions

 

(1) Intramolecular elimination systemethylene(170°C Concentrated Sulfuric Acid)

 

  C2H5OH→C2H4+H2O

 

(2) Intermolecular elimination systemEther(140°C Concentrated Sulfuric Acid)

 

  C2H5OH + HOC2H5 →C2H5OC2H5 + H2O(This is a substitution reaction)

 

  Esterification reaction

 

  C2H5OH+CH3COOH - Thick H2SO4△ (reversible) →CH3COOCH2CH3+H2O

 

"Acid" dehydroxyl group, "alcohol" dehydrogenation

 

  burn

 

  Ethanol can undergo a violent oxidation reaction with oxygen in the air to produce combustion phenomena and produce water and carbon dioxide.

 

  CH3CH2OH+3O2 → 2CO2+3H2O

2

 

Ethanol can also be burned by a mixture of concentrated sulfuric acid and potassium permanganate in a very violent oxidation reaction.

 

  reacts with hydrogen halide

 

Ethanol can be substituted with hydrogen halide to produce halogenated hydrocarbons and water. For example:

 

  CH3CH2OH + HBr → CH3CH2Br + H-OH

 

  Dehydration reaction

 

  Ethanol can be catalyzed by concentrated sulfuric acid and high temperatures, and the products vary with different temperatures.

 

If the temperature is around 140°C, the product is ether

 

  CH3CH2-OH + HO-CH2CH3 → CH3CH2OCH2CH3 + H2O

 

If the temperature is around 170°C, the product is ethylene

 

  CH2HCH2OH →CH2=CH2 + H2O

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