Ethanol is a form of alcohol, such that it contains an –OH (hydroxyl group). The nature of the oxygen bonded to the hydrogen indicates how alcohols are much stronger acids than alkanes and ethers. Since alcohols are organic molecules, naturally the most reactive site on the ethanol molecule is the –OH group. The hydroxyl group bond is much greater than the C-C, C-H, C-O bonds, which allows the hydroxyl group to differentiate between thermochemistry and chemical stability. Some chemical reactions of ethanol that take place are oxidation reactions, combustion reactions and alkoxide reactions.
Alkoxide Reaction ( Reaction of Ethanol with Sodium)
2CH3CH2OH + 2Na --> 2CH3CH2ONa + H2
Combustion Reaction of Ethanol
Balanced:
C2H5OH(l) + 3O2(g) → 2CO2(g) + 3H2O(g)
Oxidation Reaction of Ethanol
CH3CH2OH (l) + O (g) --> CH3CHO (aq) + H2O (l)
CH3CHO (l) + O (g) --> CH3COOH
Alkoxide Reaction ( Reaction of Ethanol with Sodium)
- a small piece of sodium is dropped into ethanol and produces hydrogen gas and leaves a colorless solution called sodium ethoxide (CH3CH2ONa).
2CH3CH2OH + 2Na --> 2CH3CH2ONa + H2
Combustion Reaction of Ethanol
- Ethanol and Oxygen combine in a chemical reaction with the use of energy, which results in a release of energy in the form of heat and light as well as the formation of carbon dioxide and water.
Balanced:
C2H5OH(l) + 3O2(g) → 2CO2(g) + 3H2O(g)
Oxidation Reaction of Ethanol
CH3CH2OH (l) + O (g) --> CH3CHO (aq) + H2O (l)
CH3CHO (l) + O (g) --> CH3COOH
http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practical-chemistry/oxidation-ethanol
http://www.chemguide.co.uk/organicprops/alcohols/sodium.html
http://www2.chemistry.msu.edu/faculty/reusch/VirtTxtJml/alcohol1.htm
http://chemteam.info/Thermochem/HessLawIntro2.html
http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Textbook_Maps/General_Chemistry_Textbook_Maps/Map%3A_Petrucci's_%22General_Chemistry%22/04%3A_Chemical_Reactions/4.4%3A_Determining_the_Limiting_Reactant
http://www.chemguide.co.uk/organicprops/alcohols/oxidation.html
http://www.chemguide.co.uk/organicprops/alcohols/sodium.html
http://www2.chemistry.msu.edu/faculty/reusch/VirtTxtJml/alcohol1.htm
http://chemteam.info/Thermochem/HessLawIntro2.html
http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Textbook_Maps/General_Chemistry_Textbook_Maps/Map%3A_Petrucci's_%22General_Chemistry%22/04%3A_Chemical_Reactions/4.4%3A_Determining_the_Limiting_Reactant
http://www.chemguide.co.uk/organicprops/alcohols/oxidation.html