Production by fermentation
A solution of sucrose, to which yeast is added, is heated. An enzyme, invertase, which is present in yeast, is added and this acts as a catalyst to convert the sucrose into glucose and fructose. The glucose, C6H12O6, and fructose, C6H12O6, formed are then converted into ethanol and carbon dioxide by another enzyme, zymase, which is also present in yeast. The fermentation process takes three days and is carried out at a temperature between 250C and 300C. The ethanol is then obtained by fractional distillation.
Sugar (glucose or fructose) → alcohol (ethanol) + carbon dioxide
C6H12O6 → 2 CH3CH2OH + 2 CO2
Uses
Ethanol is used in the manufacture of alcoholic drinks, e.g. Vodka, etc., as a widely used solvent for paint, varnish and drugs, in the manufacture of ethanol, (i.e. acetaldehyde), and ethanoic acid, (i.e. acetic acid), as a fuel (e.g. in Gasohol), as the fluid in thermometers, and in preserving biological specimens. Ethanol is important because it is the alcohol that is consumed by humans in alcoholic beverages and it is used as a substitute for petroleum distillates for automotive fuels. It is also fermented to produce acetic acid which is used in the production of many products including vinegar, aspirin, and vinyl acetates.
Properties
Ethanol has a low melting point due to the weak intermolecular forces but are higher than expected due to hydrogen bonding (hydrogen bonding is the strongest of the weak intermolecular forces). Covalent bonds such as ethanol generally have a low melting and boiling point this is because they don’t have any bonds which need to be broken, because it is an intermolecular force it makes it easy to pull apart the molecules, it is because of this that hydrogen bonds are easy to break. This is the reason why ethanol is used to make fuels. Ethanol is a colourless liquid with a pleasant smell. Ethanol is easily miscible in water and is a good solvent. Ethanol is less polar than water this is a reason why it is used to make solvents and perfumes. Ethanol is volatile sit I used in solvents as is it dries quickly. Ethanol is very soluble in water due to interaction with polar water molecules. It easily solutes in non-polar solvents this is all due to non-polar and van der waals forces interaction. Ethanol cannot conduct electricity because the electrons are not free to move.
Ethyl Ethanoate
Colourless liquid prepared by adding a mixture of alcohol and ethanoic acid to a mixture of alcohol and strong sulphuric acid, the whole being heated to 140°C/284°F. It is the most common member of the esters. Ethyl ethanoate is characterized by a pleasant fruity odour and was formerly used for flavouring sweets and wines, and in perfumes. It is also a useful solvent. It is also known as ethyl acetate. Ethyl ethanoate is the organic compound with the formula CH3COOCH2CH3. Ethyl Ethanoate is a covalent bond; covalent bonds are chemical bonds between two non-metals. They are also considered poor conductors of electricity.
Structure of Ethyl Ethanoate
Production in Industry
Ethyl acetate is synthesized industrially mainly via the classic Fischer etherification reaction of ethanol and acetic acid. This mixture converts to the ester in about 65% yield at room temperature:
CH3CH2OH + CH3COOH ⇌ CH3COOCH2CH3 + H2O
The reaction can be accelerated by acid catalysis and the equilibrium can be shifted to the right by removal of water. It is also prepared industrially using the Tishchenko reaction, by combining two equivalents of acetaldehyde in the presence of an alkoxide catalyst:
2 CH3CHO → CH3COOCH2CH3
Uses
Ethyl acetate is primarily used as a solvent and diluents, being favoured because of its low cost, low toxicity, and agreeable odor. For example, it is commonly used to clean circuit boards and in some nail varnish removers (acetone and acetonitrile are also used). Coffee beans and tea leaves are decaffeinated with this solvent. It is also used in paints as an activator or hardener. Ethyl acetate is present in confectionery, perfumes, and fruits. In perfumes, it evaporates quickly, leaving but the scent of the perfume on the skin.
Properties
Ethyl Ethanoate has a low boiling and melting point due to the fact of weak intermolecular forces. Ethyl acetate has a low melting and boiling point as it is an ester; Esters are organic compounds that result from the interaction of acids and alcohol. Ethyl Ethanoate is more volatile so it is used in solvents as it dries very fast (even quicker than ethanol). It is not very soluble due to any interaction with the polar water molecules; however it is slightly soluble in non-polar solvents- this is due to the non-polar/ van der waals forces interaction. It is used as a solvent which allows it to mix polar and non-polar substances. It is not a very good conductor of electricity due to electrons which are not free to move. It is used in flavourings as it has a sweet smell. The substance Ethyl ethanoate (Ethyl acetate) is a fragrant, colourless liquid ester that is flammable and volatile. Produced from ethanol and acetic acid, it is used in diverse industrial applications as a solvent. The presence of esters can cause the fruity flavours and aromas, such as banana, blueberry, and pear that intentionally or unintentionally occur in some beers. This is non-hygroscopic in nature and is used as a solvent in chemical industry. Further, these ethyl acetate solvent are also used to decaffeinate coffee beans and tea leaves, in paints as an activator or hardener, is an effective poison for use in insect collecting and study and can also be used during the preparation of photographic films and plates as well as a drug intermediate and is relatively non-toxic. This is also a non-polar chemical which does not dissolve in water however is able to mix into the water.
References
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