Question

Denatured alcohol is ______.

Options

• Methyl alcohol

• Ethyl alcohol

• CuSO₄ + ethyl alcohol

• Both (i) and (ii)

Answer 1

Denatured alcohol is CuSO₄ + ethyl alcohol.

Explanation:

Denatured alcohol is ethyl alcohol (ethanol) that has been made toxic and completely unfit for human consumption by adding various chemical adulterants. Copper sulphate (CuSO₄) is commonly added to industrial ethanol as a denaturant, imparting a distinct blue colour so the toxic substance can be easily identified and distinguished from consumable alcohol. This prevents misuse of tax-free industrial solvents for drinking.