Chemical Properties of Ethanol

1. Combustion – They burn in oxygen to form water and carbon (iv) oxide.
C₂H₆OH_(aq) + 3O_2(g)  →  2CO_2(g) + 3H₂O_(L)

2. It reacts with sodium or potassium to liberate hydrogen gas.
2Na_(s) + 2C₂H₆OH_(aq)  →  2CH₆ON_(aq) + H_2(g)

3. Oxidation – It is oxidized partially into alkanol and completely into ethanoic acid in the presence of oxidizing agent like KMnO4 or KCr2O7

C₂H₅OH_(aq)  →  CH₃CHO_(g) + H₂O_(L)

CH₂CHO_(g)  →  CH₃COOH_(aq)

4. Esterification – It is the reaction between alkanol and alkanoic acid to form alkanoate and water.
C₂H₅OH_(aq) + CH₃COOH_(aq) →  CH₃COOC₂H_5(aq)

5. Dehydration – It is dehydrated in the presence of Conc. H2SO4 at 1700c to form ethene.
CH₂H₅OH_(aq)  →  C₂H_4(g)