3.4 Alcohols

Question 1

What are the two methods of creating ethanol?

Answer 1

The fermentation of carbohydrates

Reaction of ethene with steam

Question 2

What is the equation for the fermentation of carbohydrates?

Answer 2

C6H12O6 -> 2C2H5OH + 2CO2

Question 3

What is the equation for the reaction of ethene with steam ?

Answer 3

C2H4 + H20 -> C2H5OH

Question 4

What are the conditions for the fermentation of carbohydrates?

Answer 4

Temperature between 25°-35°C

Atmospheric pressure, yeast catalyst, anaerobic environment to prevent oxidation

Question 5

What are the conditions for the reaction of ethene with steam?

Answer 5

Very high temperature (300°)
Very high pressure (60-70 atm)
Phosphoric acid catalyst

Question 6

What is meant by the term “carbon neutral”

Answer 6

Burning it releases the same amount of CO2 as is taken up from the atmosphere when it was grown

Question 7

What is a biofuel?

Answer 7

A fuel produced from natural, renewable, biological resources, that can be burnt to release energy

Question 8

What test can be done for primary or secondary alcohols?

Answer 8

Using acidified potassium dichromate, turning an orange solution to green solution