Nomenclature
CAS number: 64-17-5
Ethanol; absolute alcohol; anhydrous alcohol; dehydrated alcohol; ethyl hydrate; ethyl hydroxide.
C
2H
6O; mol wt 46.07.
C 52.14%, H 13.13%, O 34.73%.
CH
3CH
2OH.
Description and references
Manuf: by fermentation of starch, sugar, and
other carbohydrates; from ethylene, acetylene, sulfite waste liquors,
and synthesis gas (CO + H); by hydrolysis of ethyl sulfate, and oxidation
of methane. Toxicity: G. S. Wiberg et al., Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 16,
718 (1970). Embryotoxicity in mammals: N. A. Brown et al., Science 206, 573
(1979). Possible mechanism for actions of ethanol on the brain:
G. Aston-Jones et al., Nature 296, 857 (1982). Ethanol-induced chromosomal abnormalities
in mice: M. H. Kaufman, ibid. 302, 258 (1983). Disruption of reproductive function
in female primates following alcohol self-administration: N. K. Mello et al., Science 221, 677 (1983). Review of metabolism and toxicity: C. S. Lieber in Reviews in Biochemical Toxicology vol.
5, E. Hodgson et al., Eds. (Elsevier, New York, 1983)
pp 267-312; of pharmacology: L. Pohorecky, J. Brick, Pharmacol. Ther. 36, 335-427 (1988);
of hepatotoxicity: C. S. Lieber, L. M. DeCarli, J. Hepatol. 12, 394-401 (1991). General reviews:
P. Baud, “Ethyl Alcohol Industry” in Grignard, Traité de Chimie Organique vol. 5 (Masson,
1937) pp 841-975; Zabel, Chem. Ind. (now Chem. Week) 64, 212 (1949); Faith, Keyes & Clark's
Industrial Chemicals, F. A. Lowenheim, M. K. Moran, Eds.
(Wiley-Interscience, New York, 4th ed., 1975) pp 355-364; P. D. Sherman,
P. R. Kavasmaneck, “Ethanol” in Kirk-Othmer
Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology vol. 9 (Interscience,
New York, 3rd ed., 1980) pp 338-380.
Properties
Clear, colorless, very mobile, pleasant odor;
burning taste. Absorbs water rapidly from air. d420 0.789. bp 78.5°. mp -114.1°. nD20 1.361. Flash pt, closed
cup: 13°C.
Miscible with water and with many organic liquids. Flammable. Keep tightly closed, cool, and away from
flame. LD50 in young, old
rats (g/kg): 10.6, 7.06 orally (Wiberg). The terms 95% alcohol and alcohol (when used alone) refer to a binary azeotrope having a
distillate composition of 95.57% ethyl alcohol (by wt) and bp 78.15°. Alcohol, USP is specified as containing not less than 92.3% and not
more than 93.8% by weight, corresponding to not less than 94.9% and
not more than 96.0% by vol of C2H5OH at 15.56°.
d2525 0.810; d 0.816 at 15.56°
(60°F). Diluted alcohol, prepd from equal vols 95% alcohol and water, contains
about 41.5% by wt or about 48.9% by vol of C2H5OH. d2525 0.931; d 0.936 at 15.56° (60°F). See USP XXI, 22, 1530 (1985).Caution
Potential symptoms of overexposure
are irritation of eyes, skin, nose; headache, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness,
fatigue, narcosis; cough; flushing, rapid pulse, sweating; mental
excitement or depression, impaired perception, incoordination, stupor,
coma; liver damage; anemia; reproductive and teratogenic effects.
See NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical
Hazards (DHHS/NIOSH 97-140, 1997) p 132; Clinical Toxicology of Commercial Products, R. E. Gosselin et al., Eds. (Williams & Wilkins,
Baltimore, 5th ed., 1984) Section III, pp 166-171.Use
Most ethyl alcohol is used in alcoholic beverages
in suitable dilutions. Reagent in synthetic organic chemistry and
chromatography. Industrial and laboratory organic solvent. Other
uses are in manuf of denatured alcohol, pharmaceuticals (rubbing compds,
lotions, tonics, colognes), in perfumery. Octane booster in gasoline.
Pharmaceutic aid (solvent).
Therapeutic Category
Antiseptic.
Therapeutic Category (Veterinary)
Antiseptic. To destroy nerve tissue.
Solvent and dehydrating agent.
Keywords
Antiseptic/Disinfectant; Alcohols