Chemical Properties

Chemical Formula

Ethanol is a 2-carbon alcohol. Its molecular formula is CH₃CH₂OH. An alternative notation is CH₃−CH₂−OH, which indicates that the carbon of a methyl group (CH₃−) is attached to the carbon of a methylene group (−CH₂–), which is attached to the oxygen of a hydroxyl group (−OH). It is a constitutional isomer of dimethyl ether. Ethanol is sometimes abbreviated as EtOH, using the common organic chemistry notation of representing the ethyl group (C₂H₅−) with Et.

Calories

1 gram of ethanol provides 7 Calories (kilocalories) of the “metabolizable energy” or 6.1 Calories of the “net metabolizable energy.

Physical Properties

Appearance, Odor and Taste

At room temperature, ethanol is a clear, colorless, volatile liquid with a characteristic odor. When diluted, it is somewhat sweet, but concentrated alcohol has a strong, burning taste.

Solubility

Ethanol is highly soluble in water and organic solvents, but poorly soluble in fats and oils.

Density

Density of ethanol at 68 °F (20 °C) is 0.789 g/mL.

pH

Pure ethanol is neutral (pH ~7).Most alcoholic beverages are more or less acidic: table wine pH = 3.3-3.7 ,beer pH ~ 4.

Boiling Point

Boiling point of ethanol is 173.3 °F (78.5 °C)

Melting Point

Melting point of ethanol is -173.4 °F (-114.1 °C).