Question

Answer the following question.
Write the chemical formula and name of the compound which is the active ingredient of all alcoholic drinks. List its two uses.

Write the chemical equation and name of the product formed when this compound reacts with -
(i) Sodium metal  
(ii) hot concentrated sulphuric acid

Answer 1

The name of the compound which is the active ingredient of all alcoholic drinks is Ethanol, and its chemical formula is CH₃CH₂OH.

Uses:-

1. Ethanol is used in medical wipes/swabs and antibacterial hand sanitizers.
2. Ethanol is also used in body lotions as preservatives and stabilizers of its ingredients.

Chemical reactions of ethanol:-

(i) \[\ce{\underset{\text{Ethanol}}{CH3CH2OH}+\underset{\text{Sodium}}{Na}->\underset{\text{Sodium ethoxide}}{CH3CH2Na}+ \underset{\text{Hydrogen gas}}{H2}}\]

(ii) \[\ce{\underset{\text{Ethanol}}{CH3CH2OH2}+\underset{\text{Sulphuric acid}}{H2SO4(conc.)}->\underset{\text{ethene}}{C2H4}+\underset{\text{water}}{H2O}}\]