Question

Write the chemical formula and name of the compound which is the active ingredient of all alcoholic drinks. List its two uses. Write chemical equation and name of the product formed when this compound reacts with-
(i) Sodium metal
(ii) Hot concentrated sulfuric acid

Answer 1

Active ingredient in alcoholic drinks:

• Ethanol is an active ingredient that is used in alcoholic drinks.
• Ethanol is alcohol with a chemical formula ${\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{OH}$.
• It is also named ethyl alcohol.

Uses of ethanol:

• Ethanol is used in nail paint removers, polishes, and in many cosmetic items.
• It is used in the manufacturing of many drugs as well as hand sanitizers.

Reaction of ethanol with sodium metal:

• When sodium metal$\left(\mathrm{Na}\right)$ reacts with ethanol $\left({\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{OH}\right)$, it produces sodium ethanoate$\left({\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{ONa}\right)$ and hydrogen gas$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\right)$ is liberated.
• The chemical reaction can be depicted as:

$\mathrm{Na}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)+{\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{OH}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)\to {\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{ONa}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\left(\mathrm{g}\right)$

Reaction of ethanol with conc. sulfuric acid:

• When ethanol $\left({\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{OH}\right)$ reacts with hot concentrated sulfuric acid$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)$, it produces ethene$\left({\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_4\right)$ and water$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$.
• The chemical reaction can be depicted as:

${\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{OH}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\left(\mathrm{l}\right)\to {\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_4\left(\mathrm{l}\right)+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\left(\mathrm{l}\right)$