Question

How we can convert methyl alcohol into ethyl alcohol?

Answer 1

Conversion of Methyl alcohol (${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{OH}$) to Ethyl alcohol (${\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{OH}$)

• Step 1: Conversion of Methanol (${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{OH}$) to Chloromethane (${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{Cl}$).

1. When Methyl alcohol (${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{OH}$) reacts with Hydrogen chloride ($\mathrm{HCl}$).

1. It leads to the substitution of the alcoholic group and results in the formation of Chloromethane. $\underset{\mathrm{Methanol}}{{\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{OH}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)}+\underset{\mathrm{Hydrogen}\mathrm{chloride}}{\mathrm{HCl}(\mathrm{aq}.)}\to \underset{\mathrm{Chloromethane}}{{\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{Cl}(\mathrm{aq}.)}+\underset{\mathrm{Water}}{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}(\mathrm{aq}.)}$

• Step 2: Conversion of Chloromethane (${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{Cl}$) to Ethanenitrile(${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{CN}$).

1. When Chloromethane is reacted with an aqueous alcoholic solution of $\mathrm{KCN}$.
2. There is the formation of Ethanenitrile(${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{CN}$).
   $\underset{\mathrm{Cholomethane}}{{\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{Cl}(\mathrm{aq}.)}+\underset{\mathrm{Pottasium}\mathrm{cynide}}{\mathrm{KCN}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}\to \underset{\mathrm{Ethanenitrile}}{{\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{CN}(\mathrm{aq}.)}+\underset{\mathrm{Pottasium}\mathrm{chloride}}{\mathrm{KCl}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)}$

• Step 3: Conversion of Ethanenitrile(${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{CN}$) to Ethanoic acid (${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}$).

1. When hydrolysis of Ethaninitrile (${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{CN}$) in a hot acidic or alkaline medium is carried out.
2. It leads to the formation of Ethanoic acid (${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}$).
   $\underset{\mathrm{Ethanenitrile}}{{\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{CN}}(\mathrm{aq}.)\stackrel{{\mathrm{H}}^{+},{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}}{\to }\underset{\mathrm{Ethanoic}\mathrm{acid}}{{\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}}(\mathrm{aq}.)$

• Step 4: Conversion of Ethanoic acid (${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}$) to Ethanol (${\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{OH}$).

1. Ethanoic acid (${\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}$) on reduction in the presence of strong reducing agents such as ${\mathrm{LiAlH}}_4$.
2. It leads to the formation of ethyl alcohol or ethanol (${\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{OH}$).
   $\underset{\mathrm{Ethanoic}\mathrm{acid}}{{\mathrm{CH}}_3\mathrm{COOH}}(\mathrm{aq}.)\stackrel{{\mathrm{LiAlH}}_4}{\to }\underset{\mathrm{Ethanol}}{{\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{OH}}(\mathrm{aq}.)$