The double bonded ethene molecule breaks its pi bond to accommodate one H and one OH group. The phosphoric acid is a catalyst. The reaction is shown below. Properties of ethanol 1. Ethanol is a colourless liquid at room temperature.
Ethanol has a slight fruity odour.
The boiling point of ethanol is 78 C 4. Ethanol is completely miscible in water. The density of ethanol is less than water. Ethanol is a neutral solution and shows negative results for all acid tests. Ethanol is very flammable and burns with a pale blue flame.