It is a clear, water-white, mobile liquid with the characteristic alcohol odour. Materials of construction used for methanol are also used for ethanol. Like methanol, ethanol forms explosive mixtures with air or with oxidisers. Denaturants added to the alcohol can cause poisoning, blindness, and death. The majority of the ethyl alcohol for solvent use is made by the hydrolysis of ethyl sulphate, which results from the addition of sulphuric acid to ethylene.
Absolute alcohol is made by azeotropic distillation with benzene.
Last update 22 December 2000. Contact Mark Wade with any corrections, additions, or comments. Conditions for use of drawings, pictures, or other materials from this site. .