which reaction produces ethanol
Ethanol is produced in 3 ways: 1  Ethanol is produced both as a petrochemical (chemical products derived from petroleum), through the hydration of ethylene. 2  Biologically, by fermenting sugars with yeast. 3  Ethanol may also be produced industrially from ethene (ethylene). The largest single use of ethanol is as a motor fuel and fuel additive. 2  Ethanol combustion in an internal combustion engine yields many of the products of incomplete combustion produced by gasoline. 3  Hydrous ethanol (about 95% ethanol and 5% water) can be used as fuel in more than 90% of new cars sold in the country.