Alcohols

Question 1

What is the molecular formula of ethanol?

Answer 1

C2H5OH

Question 2

What is the word and balanced symbol equation for the production of ethanol by fermentation?

Answer 2

Glucose —> ethanol + carbon dioxide

C6H12O6 —> 2C2H5OH + 2CO2

Question 3

What is the process of making ethanol from fermentation?

Answer 3

• Catalysed by enzymes in yeast
• Temperature can’t be too low because the enzymes won’t be active
• Temperature can’t be too high or the enzymes will denature
• There can be no oxygen present or it will produce ethanoic acid
• The dilute liquid produced undergoes fractional distillation to produce ethanol

Question 4

What is the word and balanced symbol equation for the production of ethanol from ethene?

Answer 4

Ethene + water —> ethanol

C2H4 + H2O —> C2H5OH

Question 5

What is the process of hydration of ethene?

Answer 5

• Ethene and steam are passed over a hot phosphoric acid catalyst

Question 6

What are the advantages of fermentation?

Answer 6

• Less energy needed than hydration

- Sustainable method

Question 7

What are the advantages of hydration?

Answer 7

• Pure on production

- High yield and atom economy