Overview
Ethanol, commonly known as ethyl alcohol, is one of the most widely used organic compounds in industrial and consumer applications. It is produced both synthetically and through fermentation of sugars by yeasts. As a versatile solvent, ethanol plays a critical role in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and chemical synthesis. In addition to industrial uses, ethanol serves as the intoxicating ingredient in alcoholic beverages and has gained prominence as a biofuel additive. Its antimicrobial properties make it valuable in healthcare settings as a disinfectant, particularly in hand sanitizers and surface cleaners.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Ethanol is a clear, colorless liquid with a characteristic odor and burning taste. It has a lower density than water (0.789 g/cm³) and boils at 78.37°C, making it highly volatile. The compound forms an azeotrope with water at approximately 95.6% ethanol content, which complicates distillation processes. As a polar solvent, ethanol exhibits excellent miscibility with water and many organic compounds. Its hydroxyl group enables hydrogen bonding, contributing to its solvent properties and hygroscopic nature. Ethanol's flammability (flash point: 16.6°C) requires careful handling in industrial environments.
Main Applications
The pharmaceutical industry utilizes ethanol as a solvent for medications and in tincture formulations. In personal care products, it serves as an astringent and preservative. Industrial applications include use as a solvent for paints, varnishes, and inks, where its rapid evaporation is advantageous. As a fuel, ethanol blends (such as E10 or E85) reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to pure gasoline. The food industry employs ethanol in flavor extracts and as a preservative. During the COVID-19 pandemic, ethanol-based hand sanitizers saw unprecedented global demand due to their effectiveness against enveloped viruses.
Safety and Storage
Ethanol requires careful handling due to its flammability and health hazards. Storage areas should have proper ventilation and be equipped with explosion-proof electrical fixtures. Containers must be clearly labeled and kept tightly closed when not in use. Personal protective equipment including chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection should be worn when handling concentrated ethanol. Spills should be contained immediately using absorbent materials. Fire extinguishers suitable for alcohol fires (Class B) must be readily available in storage and work areas.
B2B Procurement Guide
Industrial buyers should specify the required purity level (typically 95% or 99.9% for technical grades) and whether denatured ethanol is acceptable. Food and pharmaceutical applications require USP or food-grade certifications. Bulk purchases (drums or tanker loads) offer significant cost savings but require appropriate storage infrastructure. Quality verification should include certificates of analysis for purity, water content, and denaturant composition (if applicable). Transportation regulations vary by jurisdiction, particularly for high-proof ethanol, requiring proper hazardous materials documentation. Long-term contracts with price adjustment clauses can mitigate market volatility.
Related Manufacturers
- 主营：醋酸丁酯、国标醋酸乙酯、乙酸正丙酯、无水乙醇、醋酸乙酯、乙酸乙酯、甲基环己烷、醋酸正丙酯、正丙醇、异丙醇、醋酸正丁酯、正乙酸丙酯、正醋酸丙酯
- 主营：清洗剂、缓蚀剂、聚合氯化铝、乙醇、氟化氢铵、磷酸
- 主营：保险粉、乙酰氯、凡士林、乙醇胺、苯乙烯、杀藻铵、洗衣粉、乳胶粉、乳化剂、活性炭、水杨酸、丙三醇、减水剂、环己胺、漂白粉、石蜡油、苯甲醇、四甲苯、防水剂、消泡剂、石油醚、白砂糖、硅酸钾、养护剂、癸二酸二辛酯
- 主营：乙二醇、乙二醇丁醚、二甲基亚砜、二甲苯
- 主营：异丙醇、醋酸丁酯、乙酰丙酮、乙醇、咨询贝尔、丁酯化工、二甲基酮、乙酸丁酯、醋酸异丙酯、醋酸正丁酯、二甲基甲醇、六氟异丙醇、正庚烷、二甲苯、丙酮肟、乙腈
- 主营：甲醇、甲缩醛、二氯甲烷、乙醇、溶剂油、二甲苯、醋酸甲酯、醋酸乙酯、醋酸丁酯、醋酸仲丁酯、碳酸二甲酯、二氯乙烷、异丙醇、磷酸、乙二醇丁醚、二乙二醇丁醚、乙二醇、丙二醇甲醚、丙二醇甲醚醋酸酯、工业酒精、醋酸、防白水、稀释剂、环己酮、正丁醇
- 主营：直接耐晒翠兰GL、酸性蓝、靛蓝、乙醇、乙酸乙酯、酞青蓝、活性翠蓝、120溶剂油、二氯甲烷、酸性嫩黄、油溶苯胺黑、氯代棕榈油甲酯、丙二醇、溶剂油
- 主营：消毒剂、酸度调节剂、工业清洗溶剂、乙醇、可分装无色液体、工业级氢氧化铵、二甲基亚砜、异丙醇、苯酚、次氯酸钠、液碱、磷酸、甲酸、甲醇、乙酸乙酯、三乙胺、二甲基甲酰胺、二氯甲烷、氨水、冰醋酸、过硫酸钠、二甲苯
- 主营：食品级液碱、食品级片碱、氢氧化钾、乙醇、双氧水、工业酒精、槽车运输、工业硫酸、食品级盐酸、工业级盐酸、聚合氯化铝、一水柠檬酸、食品级酒精、铁桶装、乙酸乙酯、工业级硼砂、液碱、32%液体氢氧化钠、醋酸乙酯、液体氢氧化钠、工业级液碱、食品级氢氧化钠、甲醇、固体氢氧化钠、氢氧化钠片碱、氢氧化钠
- 主营：食用酒精、甲醇、异丙醇、无水乙醇、食用乙醇、乙醇、无水乙醇高纯度、95%乙醇、工业乙醇、二价酸酯、二丙酮醇、醋酸正丙酯、异丙醇IPA、醋酸仲丁酯、三甲苯、丙二醇甲醚、环已烷、环已酮、混丁醇、丙三醇、轻质白油、磺酸、二乙二醇丁醚DB、正己烷、正丁醇
- 主营：日化洗涤原料、表面活性剂、油田助剂、溶剂
- 主营：亚磷酸二甲酯、碳酸甲乙酯、磷酸铁、无水乙醇、三乙醇胺、碘化钠、甘油、丙三醇、乙二醇、葡萄糖酸钠、磷酸、甲醇、甲基吡咯烷酮、麦芽糊精、丙二醇、异丙醇、二甲苯、正丁醇、二甲基甲酰胺、二价酸酯、二甲基亚砜、正己烷、环己酮、石油醚、碳酸二甲酯
- 主营：次氯酸钠、铝溶胶、乙二醇、三乙醇胺、乙醇、甲基硅酸、二甲基亚砜、液体泡花碱、液碱、氢氧化钠、蒸馏水去离子水、二氯甲烷、软水盐、DMF、二甲基甲酰胺、聚乙二醇200、400、600、水玻璃、甲酸、草酸、大苏打、冰醋酸、苯酚、氨水
- 主营：三氟乙酸、三氟乙酸酐、亚硝酸钠、无水乙醇、乙酸、氢氧化钠、柠檬酸、柠檬酸钠、苯甲酸钠、无水亚硫酸钠、三氯化铁、三氟乙酸乙酯
- 主营：无水乙醇、表面活性剂、污水处理药剂、各类无机盐