Question

Why is ethyl alcohol not regarded as acid though it contains hydrogen atoms in its formula?

Answer 1

1. Acid is a substance (molecule or ion) that is capable of donating an ${\mathrm{H}}^{+}$ion ( or proton).
2. Ethyl alcohol (${\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{OH}$) is covalent in nature, i.e. it does not evolve any $H^{+}$ions even when it is dissolved in water.

For example:

1. $\mathrm{HCl}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\stackrel{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}}{\to }{\mathrm{H}}^{+}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)$
2. ${\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{OH}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)\stackrel{{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}}{\to }{\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{OH}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)$

Thus, it is not regarded as an acid.