6.1
1.
Common Alcohol
Properties of Ethanol
The aim of this experiment is to investigate some properties of
ethanol.
Propert Result
y
Test
of
Appearance
Colourless liquid
Solubility
Soluble in water
pH
Neutral
Conduction
Does not conduct
Burning
Very flammable with clean
invisible flame.
Solvent properties of ethanol:
To a test tube containing ethanol was added a wooden
splint coated with nail varnish, to another a wooden splint
coated with marker ink and to another a piece of green leaf.
The tubes were left for 2 minutes and the results shown
below.
Substance
Solubility in
Ethanol
Nail varnish
Insoluble
Felt marker
Soluble
Green pigment in
leaves
Soluble
2.
Structure of Ethanol
This activity examines the structure and formula of ethanol.
Structural Formula:
Shortened Structural Formula:
H H
H C C OH
CH3CH2OH
H H
Molecular Formula:
C2H6O
The functional group in ethanol is —OH
This is called a hydroxyl group.
It is better to write the molecular formula showing the
functional group:
C2H5OH
3.
Combustion of Ethanol
This activity is about the products of the combustion reaction of
ethanol.
The cobalt chloride changes from blue to pink showing that
water is produced.
The lime water changes from clear to milky showing that
carbon dioxide is produced.
Word equation:
ethanol + oxygen
carbon dioxide + water
Formula equation:
C2H5OH(l) + 3O2(g)
2CO2(g) + 3H2O(l)
The combustion of ethanol can be regarded as an
oxidation reaction as the ethanol is combining with oxygen
from the air.