What is the structural formula of ethanol?

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Basic Ethanol FormulasFormula TypeFormulaExplanationMolecular FormulaC₂H₆OShows the total number of each type of atom in one molecule of ethanolChemical FormulaC₂H₅OHMost common way to write ethanol, showing the hydroxyl group (-OH)Condensed Structural FormulaCH₃CH₂OHShows how atoms are connected in a simplified wayEmpirical FormulaC₂H₆OSimplest whole number ratio of atoms (same as molecular formula for ethanol)Structural RepresentationsFormula TypeRepresentationDescriptionUsesExpanded Structural FormulaH-C-C-O-H with all H atoms shownShows every atom and bond explicitlyUnderstanding molecular structureSkeletal FormulaLine-angle structureShows carbon backbone as lines, OH group explicitAdvanced organic chemistry3D FormulaTetrahedral arrangementShows three-dimensional shape of moleculePhysical chemistry studiesEthanol Reaction FormulasReaction TypeFormulaExplanationApplicationComplete CombustionC₂H₅OH + 3O₂ → 2CO₂ + 3H₂OEthanol burns in oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and waterEnergy production, Class 10Incomplete CombustionC₂H₅OH + 2O₂ → 2CO + 3H₂OInsufficient oxygen leads to carbon monoxide formationSafety studiesFermentationC₆H₁₂O₆ → 2C₂H₅OH + 2CO₂Glucose is converted to ethanol by yeastBiochemistry, Class 12DehydrationC₂H₅OH → C₂H₄ + H₂OEthanol loses water to form ethene (requires catalyst)Organic synthesisOxidation Reactions of EthanolOxidation LevelFormulaProductConditionsPrimary OxidationC₂H₅OH + [O] → CH₃CHO + H₂OAcetaldehyde (ethanal)Mild oxidizing agentSecondary OxidationCH₃CHO + [O] → CH₃COOHAcetic acid (ethanoic acid)Strong oxidizing agentComplete OxidationC₂H₅OH + 2[O] → CH₃COOH + H₂ODirect conversion to acetic acidExcess oxidizing agentRelated Chemical FormulasCompoundFormulaRelationship to EthanolImportanceEthanoic Acid (Acetic Acid)CH₃COOHOxidation product of ethanolFood industry, Class 10Ethanolic KOHKOH/C₂H₅OHPotassium hydroxide dissolved in ethanolOrganic chemistry reactionsEthyl AcetateCH₃COOC₂H₅Ester formed from ethanol and acetic acidSolvent, esterificationAcetaldehyde (Ethanal)CH₃CHOFirst oxidation product of ethanolIntermediate in metabolismIsomerism and Alternative FormulasIsomer TypeFormulaNameDifference from EthanolFunctional IsomerCH₃OCH₃Dimethyl etherDifferent functional group (ether vs alcohol)Structural FormulaC₂H₆OSame molecular formulaBoth have same atoms, different arrangementImportant Physical and Chemical PropertiesPropertyValue/FormulaSignificanceMolar Mass46.07 g/molCalculated from C₂H₆ODensity0.789 g/cm³Less dense than waterBoiling Point78.37°CDue to hydrogen bondingHydrogen BondingR-OH···H-ORExplains physical propertiesClass-Specific Formula ApplicationsClass 10 Basic Formula: C₂H₅OHCombustion: C₂H₅OH + 3O₂ → 2CO₂ + 3H₂OKey Focus: Recognition and simple reactionsClass 11-12 Structural formulas: CH₃CH₂OH, skeletal formulasMechanism reactions: SN1, SN2, elimination reactionsAdvanced applications: Esterification, oxidation mechanisms

What is the structural formula of ethanol?

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Formula Type	Formula	Explanation
Molecular Formula	C₂H₆O	Shows the total number of each type of atom in one molecule of ethanol
Chemical Formula	C₂H₅OH	Most common way to write ethanol, showing the hydroxyl group (-OH)
Condensed Structural Formula	CH₃CH₂OH	Shows how atoms are connected in a simplified way
Empirical Formula	C₂H₆O	Simplest whole number ratio of atoms (same as molecular formula for ethanol)

Formula Type	Representation	Description	Uses
Expanded Structural Formula	H-C-C-O-H with all H atoms shown	Shows every atom and bond explicitly	Understanding molecular structure
Skeletal Formula	Line-angle structure	Shows carbon backbone as lines, OH group explicit	Advanced organic chemistry
3D Formula	Tetrahedral arrangement	Shows three-dimensional shape of molecule	Physical chemistry studies

Reaction Type	Formula	Explanation	Application
Complete Combustion	C₂H₅OH + 3O₂ → 2CO₂ + 3H₂O	Ethanol burns in oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water	Energy production, Class 10
Incomplete Combustion	C₂H₅OH + 2O₂ → 2CO + 3H₂O	Insufficient oxygen leads to carbon monoxide formation	Safety studies
Fermentation	C₆H₁₂O₆ → 2C₂H₅OH + 2CO₂	Glucose is converted to ethanol by yeast	Biochemistry, Class 12
Dehydration	C₂H₅OH → C₂H₄ + H₂O	Ethanol loses water to form ethene (requires catalyst)	Organic synthesis

Oxidation Level	Formula	Product	Conditions
Primary Oxidation	C₂H₅OH + [O] → CH₃CHO + H₂O	Acetaldehyde (ethanal)	Mild oxidizing agent
Secondary Oxidation	CH₃CHO + [O] → CH₃COOH	Acetic acid (ethanoic acid)	Strong oxidizing agent
Complete Oxidation	C₂H₅OH + 2[O] → CH₃COOH + H₂O	Direct conversion to acetic acid	Excess oxidizing agent

Compound	Formula	Relationship to Ethanol	Importance
Ethanoic Acid (Acetic Acid)	CH₃COOH	Oxidation product of ethanol	Food industry, Class 10
Ethanolic KOH	KOH/C₂H₅OH	Potassium hydroxide dissolved in ethanol	Organic chemistry reactions
Ethyl Acetate	CH₃COOC₂H₅	Ester formed from ethanol and acetic acid	Solvent, esterification
Acetaldehyde (Ethanal)	CH₃CHO	First oxidation product of ethanol	Intermediate in metabolism

Isomer Type	Formula	Name	Difference from Ethanol
Functional Isomer	CH₃OCH₃	Dimethyl ether	Different functional group (ether vs alcohol)
Structural Formula	C₂H₆O	Same molecular formula	Both have same atoms, different arrangement

Property	Value/Formula	Significance
Molar Mass	46.07 g/mol	Calculated from C₂H₆O
Density	0.789 g/cm³	Less dense than water
Boiling Point	78.37°C	Due to hydrogen bonding
Hydrogen Bonding	R-OH···H-OR	Explains physical properties