Alcohol,

carboxylic Search this site

acid and
esters

tion 4. Uses of alcohol

Introduction
1. Used as an ingredient in alcoholic beverages E.g. wine and beer
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Content Page

1. What are alcohols?

2. Properties of alcohols

3. Formation of alcohols

4. Uses of alcohol

5. What are carboxylic

acids?
2. Used to produce methylated spirit (meth)
6. Properties of
carboxylic acids Methylated spirit is ethanol mixed with small amounts of methanol, which is poisonous, making it unfit for c
7. Formation of Methylated spirit is combustible so it can be used in lamps and stoves, especially those made for camping.
carboxylic acids
Methylated spirit is used to remove ink from non-porous surfaces. E.g. removing permanent ink from variou
8. Esters and Formation
of esters Methylated spirit is used as a component of household cleaning products, usually glass cleaners.

9. Uses of esters

Quiz 3. Used as a fuel

References Ethanol burns cleanly to form carbon dioxide and water. Using ethanol as fuel does not contribute much to p

Ethanol is usually mixed with gasoline to produce 'gasohol", which is about 10-20% ethanol.

Using ethanol as a fuel reduces our reliance on natural fossil fuels such as petrol.
 Ethanol as a fuel

4. Used as a solvent

Ethanol is commonly used as an organic solvent to dissolve organic compounds which are insoluble in water
medicines such as disinfectants; used in toiletries such as after-shave lotions

Advantages of ethanol as a solvent is that it is volatile, colourless and has a relatively high boiling point of 78
organic solvents.

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