Ethanol is classified as a primary alcohol, meaning that the carbon its hydroxyl group attaches to has at least two hydrogen atoms attached to it as well. Many ethanol reactions occur at its hydroxyl group.

Reaction With Active Metals

The product will forms Alkoxied.
Using the reagent metals ; Na, Mg, Al, etc.
The reactivity of R-OH is 1^o > 2^o > 3^o

Esterification

Esterification ( Ester Formation ) involves cleavage of C-OH bond of the acid and of the O-H bond of the alcohol.
Example :
CH₃CH₂OH + CH₃CH₂OOH --> CH₃CH₂COOCH₂CH₃ + H₂

Dehydration

Dehydration reaction is using a sulphuric acid as the reagent.

1. Alkane Formation
At 180^oC alcohols undergo dehydration with concentrate H₂SO₄ to give alkanes.

2. Ether Formation
At 140^oC alcohols undergo dehydration with concentrate H₂SO₄ to form ether.

3. Alkyl Hydrogen Sulphate
At room temperature alcohols react with concentrate H₂SO₄ to form alkyl hydrogen sulphate.

Alkylhalides Formation

1. Reaction with Thionyl Chloride (SOCl₃)


2. Reaction with Phosphorus Halides (PX₃ or PX₅)

Reaction with Hydrogen Halides (HX)

HCl reacts with alcohols only in the presence of catalyst (anhydrous ZnCl₂). No catalyst is required in the case of HBr or HI.

Reaction with nitric acid (HNO₃)

The product from this reactions are formed Alkyl nitrates.

Oxidation

Differents types of alcohols give different products on oxidation. Most widely used oxidizing agents are KMnO₄ + H₂SO₄ and Na₂Cr₂O₇ + H₂SO₄.

1. Primary Alcohols are oxidized to aldehydes.


2. Secondary Alcohols are oxidized to ketones.


3. Tertiary Alcohols are don't undergo oxidation under normal conditions.