Ethyl alcohol: the formula, what you need to know

Everyone knows that strong alcohol contains ethyl alcohol. Digging into the back of your memory, some people will even recall the formula for a high-grade substance: H₂H₅OH, (H₃H₂OH). This is where most of us end up learning about ethyl alcohol.

For the most inquisitive, Vzboltai has collected interesting facts and useful information about the main alcoholic ingredient, as well as answers to popular questions.

Is there a difference between ethyl alcohol and ethanol?

No, it doesn't. In fact, these are 2 synonyms that denote the same substance. Although ethanol is often used as a more general name that unites ethyl alcohol, wine alcohol, food alcohol, and medical alcohol under its banner. But the statement "ethyl alcohol = ethanol" is correct.

Types of ethanol used in food production

The alcohol obtained after purification in a special plant contains 95.6% ethanol. Depending on the presence of impurities, there are several categories of the substance (listed in order from higher to lower quality):

1. Alpha

   It is made from wheat and rye and is used for the production of elite vodkas.

2. Lux

   It is made from grain and potatoes (no more than 35% of the latter), subjected to thorough purification, and used to produce premium vodkas.

3. Extra and Basic

   Produced from grain and potatoes, it is used for middle-priced alcohol.

4. Higher purification

   Obtained from a mixture of potatoes, grain, beets and black molasses (in different proportions), minimally purified, used in the production of tinctures, liqueurs, economy class vodkas.

5. 1 grade

   Not used in the alcohol industry.

Where ethanol is used, besides alcohol production

In medicine, ethyl alcohol is used as an outdated type of antiseptic, as a basis for the manufacture of tinctures, compresses, etc. д.

It is also used in industry, in particular in the chemical and fuel industries. It is noteworthy that the first car created by Henry Ford in 1880 ran on ethanol.

Today, the substance is used as a fuel for rockets and internal combustion engines. Ethanol is also a part of many cosmetics and detergents.

Can it be consumed in its pure form

Under no circumstances. If consumed in its pure form, ethyl alcohol causes mucosal burns and severe intoxication.

You can drink it only in diluted form and in reasonable doses.

Optimal and maximum dose

The safe consumption rate for a particular person can be calculated using a special formula: 1.5 ml of pure alcohol per 1 kg of weight. It needs to be adjusted depending on the ethanol content of the drink.

For example, the consumption rate of vodka containing 40% alcohol is 3.75 ml per 1 kg of body weight. If the consumption of alcohol is extended over several hours, a slight increase in the dose is allowed, but not more than 25% (if your own health is important to you).

A lethal single dose is 4-12 g of ethanol per 1 kg of weight. It is interesting that, contrary to popular belief, ethyl alcohol is not a panacea for a bad mood. The effect is short-lived, and in general, the substance is considered a depressant that depresses the nervous system, not to mention other consequences of abuse (liver cirrhosis, gastrointestinal problems, various types of cancer, and much more).

What is so terrible about methyl alcohol and how to distinguish it from ethyl alcohol

All types of alcohol are dangerous when consumed in its pure form. But methanol has the worst effects.

At best, when drinking it, a person can go blind, at worst - die. Moreover, methanol acts with lightning speed.

In order not to join the list of victims of surrogate alcohol, it is better to refrain from buying it in dubious places and choose alcohol carefully.

If you have any doubts about the quality of a purchased (or gifted) beverage, you can test it in one of 3 ways:

1. Set on fire

   A good product containing ethanol will have a blue flame, a bad product (with methanol) will have a green flame.

2. Dip a piece of fresh potato into the drink

   If the alcohol contains methanol, the vegetable will turn pink.

3. Pour a solution of potassium permanganate into a glass

   The substance does not react to ethanol, and when it interacts with methanol, it will hiss and foam.

It is noteworthy that the antidote in case of methyl alcohol poisoning is ethyl alcohol, which is administered intravenously or consumed orally in a certain dosage.

Ways to get it

The classic method of ethanol production is good old-fashioned fermentation. A variety of plant materials are used as raw materials: fruits with a high carbohydrate content, potatoes, grain, rice, corn, etc.

The beverage obtained as a result of fermentation contains only 15% ethanol and requires further processing (distillation, purification).

For industrial purposes, ethanol is produced synthetically (by hydrating ethylene or hydrolyzing cellulose).

Special reactions can be used to produce absolute alcohol, which contains virtually no water.

What products is it found in, besides alcohol

In some beverages obtained as a result of fermentation: kvass, kefir, so-called "non-alcoholic" beer. The ethanol content in them can vary from 0.01 to 0.05%.

Chemical characteristics of ethanol

1. Colorless, volatile

2. Single atomic liquid substance

3. Lighter than water

4. Melting point = -114.1°C

5. Boiling point = 78.39 °C

6. Flash point = 400 °C

7. Flammable (at 18 °C)

8. Good solvent

Update: 05.07.2019

Category: Vodka an Moonshine