Why Is Ethanol Written As C2H5OH Not C2H6O?

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Learn more about Teams Why is ethanol written as C2H5OH not C2H6O? Ask Question Asked 11 years, 6 months ago Modified 5 years, 2 months ago Viewed 27k times 7 $\begingroup$

This is balanced equation of fermentation of glucose:

$$\ce{C6H12O6(aq) -> 2C2H5OH(aq) + 2CO2(g)}$$

I know that the result of glucose fermentation is ethanol ($\ce{C2H6O}$). What represented in the aforementioned equation is slightly different. I would like to know what $\ce{C2H5OH}$ is?

What is the OH functional group doing here? Does it make ethanol acidic? Does it mean that ethanol is diluted with water?

• organic-chemistry
• alcohols
• notation

Share Cite Improve this question Follow edited Oct 31, 2019 at 2:01 Melanie Shebel 6,8001010 gold badges4848 silver badges8888 bronze badges asked Jun 21, 2013 at 6:51 bmanbman 28933 gold badges55 silver badges1010 bronze badges $\endgroup$ Add a comment |

2 Answers 2

Sorted by: Reset to default Highest score (default) Date modified (newest first) Date created (oldest first) 10 $\begingroup$

It is better to write $\ce{C_2H_6O}$ as $\ce{C_2H_5OH}$, because there is more than one compound with the same overall formula, and emphasising the hydroxyl group $\ce{-OH}$, which is what characterizes an alcohol makes it ethanol and nothing else. So when you ask, "What is OH functional group doing here", it is exactly that the product is an alcohol, characterized by a hydroxyl group. And yes, alcohols are acidic in the right situations, given that their hydroxyl groups do produce acidic hydrogen ions, and yes, that is why it's so soluble in water.

Share Cite Improve this answer Follow edited Oct 31, 2019 at 2:00 Melanie Shebel 6,8001010 gold badges4848 silver badges8888 bronze badges answered Jun 22, 2013 at 2:13 user467user467 $\endgroup$ Add a comment | 1 $\begingroup$

I confused compound formula with the actual formula of ethanol. Compound formula is $\ce{C2H6O}$. But the actual molecular structure is $\ce{CH3CH2OH}$. The oxygen is attached to hydrogen which it in turn is attached to Carbon.

Share Cite Improve this answer Follow edited Jun 22, 2013 at 2:17 answered Jun 21, 2013 at 6:58 bmanbman 28933 gold badges55 silver badges1010 bronze badges $\endgroup$ Add a comment |

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