Ethanol vs. Ethanoic Acid: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on February 14, 2024
Ethanol is an alcohol with the formula C2H5OH, widely used as a solvent and in beverages; Ethanoic Acid, also known as acetic acid, with formula CH3COOH, is a key component of vinegar and an important industrial chemical.
Key Differences
Ethanol is a volatile, colorless liquid with a characteristic odor, primarily known as the type of alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. Ethanoic Acid, in contrast, is a colorless liquid with a pungent smell, known for its presence in vinegar and as a precursor in the synthesis of many chemical compounds.
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Feb 14, 2024
Ethanol serves as a popular fuel and fuel additive due to its high octane number and clean-burning properties. Ethanoic Acid, on the other hand, is widely used in the production of vinyl acetate monomer, an important industrial chemical used in the manufacture of various polymers.
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In the food industry, Ethanol is used as a preservative and flavoring agent, enhancing the taste of various food products. Ethanoic Acid plays a crucial role in food preservation and seasoning, especially in the pickling process.
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Medically, Ethanol is used as an antiseptic and disinfectant, killing microorganisms by denaturing their proteins. Ethanoic Acid has applications in pharmaceuticals, particularly in the production of aspirin and other medications.
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Feb 14, 2024
In terms of chemical structure, Ethanol is a simple alcohol with a two-carbon chain and a hydroxyl group. Ethanoic Acid is a carboxylic acid with a two-carbon chain and a carboxyl group, contributing to its acidic properties.
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Feb 14, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Main Uses
Beverage alcohol, fuel, solvent, disinfectant
Vinegar, chemical synthesis, food preservative
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Feb 14, 2024
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Ethanol and Ethanoic Acid Definitions
Ethanol
As a recreational substance, ethanol is the active component in alcoholic drinks like beer, wine, and spirits.
The wine's alcohol content comes from the fermentation of grapes into ethanol.
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Ethanoic Acid
Ethanoic Acid, also known as acetic acid, is a sour-tasting compound found in vinegar.
The tangy taste of this salad dressing comes from the ethanoic acid in vinegar.
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Jan 18, 2024
Ethanol
In chemistry, ethanol is a simple alcohol with the chemical formula C2H5OH.
The laboratory synthesis required pure ethanol as a solvent.
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Ethanoic Acid
Ethanoic Acid is a weak organic acid with the chemical formula CH3COOH.
The lab experiment involved titrating a base with ethanoic acid to determine its concentration.
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Jan 18, 2024
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Ethanol
Ethanol is a clear, colorless, volatile liquid with a characteristic odor, used widely as a solvent and in alcoholic beverages.
The perfume contained a high percentage of ethanol to dissolve various fragrances.
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Jan 18, 2024
Ethanoic Acid
In industry, Ethanoic Acid is used in the production of plastics, pharmaceuticals, and dyes.
The chemical plant specializes in producing ethanoic acid for various applications.
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Ethanol
Ethanol acts as a biofuel, often blended with gasoline to reduce air pollution.
Many modern cars are capable of running on a blend of gasoline and ethanol.
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Ethanoic Acid
As a food additive, Ethanoic Acid acts as a preservative and flavor enhancer.
Ethanoic acid is added to pickles to preserve them and give them their characteristic sour taste.
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Ethanol
Medically, ethanol is used as an antiseptic and disinfectant.
Ethanol wipes are commonly used to disinfect surfaces in hospitals.
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Ethanoic Acid
In biochemistry, Ethanoic Acid is involved in metabolic processes as a key intermediate.
Ethanoic acid plays a crucial role in the citric acid cycle in cellular respiration.
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Ethanol
(organic compound) A simple aliphatic alcohol formally derived from ethane by replacing one hydrogen atom with a hydroxyl group: CH3-CH2-OH.
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Ethanol
The organic compound C2H5.OH, the common alcohol which is the intoxicating agent in beer, wine, and other fermented and distilled liquors; called also ethyl alcohol. It is used pure or denatured as a solvent or in medicines and colognes and cleaning solutions, or mixed in gasoline as a fuel for automobiles, and as a rocket fuel (as in the V-2 rocket).
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Ethanol
The intoxicating agent in fermented and distilled liquors; used pure or denatured as a solvent or in medicines and colognes and cleaning solutions and rocket fuel; proposed as a renewable clean-burning additive to gasoline
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Jan 16, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is Ethanol?
Ethanol is a volatile, colorless liquid, commonly used as an alcoholic beverage component, solvent, and fuel.
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Feb 14, 2024
Is Ethanoic Acid harmful?
In concentrated forms, Ethanoic Acid can be corrosive and harmful, but it is generally safe in diluted forms like vinegar.
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Feb 14, 2024
Can Ethanol be ingested?
Ethanol in alcoholic beverages is safe to ingest in moderation, but industrial ethanol can be toxic.
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What are the uses of Ethanoic Acid?
Ethanoic Acid is used in food preservation, chemical synthesis, and as a vinegar component.
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How is Ethanol produced?
Ethanol is primarily produced through fermentation of sugars by yeast or by petrochemical processes.
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Can Ethanol be used as a disinfectant?
Yes, Ethanol is effective as an antiseptic and disinfectant.
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Is Ethanoic Acid soluble in water?
Yes, Ethanoic Acid is completely soluble in water.
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Is Ethanol a renewable resource?
Ethanol is considered renewable when produced from biomass through fermentation.
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Can Ethanoic Acid be used in cleaning?
Yes, diluted Ethanoic Acid is effective in cleaning and removing mineral deposits.
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What is the pH of Ethanoic Acid?
Ethanoic Acid is a weak acid, typically having a pH around 2.4 in its undiluted form.
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Feb 14, 2024
Does Ethanoic Acid have a strong smell?
Yes, Ethanoic Acid has a distinct pungent smell, similar to vinegar.
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Feb 14, 2024
Is Ethanol a greenhouse gas?
Ethanol itself is not a greenhouse gas, but its production and use can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
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Can Ethanoic Acid be used in first aid?
While Ethanoic Acid isn't typically used in first aid, diluted forms like vinegar can be used for mild topical applications.
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What is the chemical formula of Ethanoic Acid?
The chemical formula of Ethanoic Acid is CH3COOH.
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Is Ethanol used in pharmaceuticals?
Ethanol is used in pharmaceuticals as a solvent and preservative.
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What is the boiling point of Ethanol?
Ethanol boils at around 78.37°C (173.07°F).
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What is the difference in molecular structure between Ethanol and Ethanoic Acid?
Ethanol has a hydroxyl group (-OH), while Ethanoic Acid has a carboxyl group (-COOH).
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Feb 14, 2024
Can Ethanol be used in perfumes?
Yes, Ethanol is commonly used as a solvent in perfumes.
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What concentration of Ethanoic Acid is found in household vinegar?
Household vinegar typically contains 4-8% Ethanoic Acid.
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Is Ethanol biodegradable?
Yes, Ethanol is readily biodegradable in the environment.
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Feb 14, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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