Ethane and ethanol are both organic compounds. Organic compounds are formed from carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms and sometimes sulfur, oxygen, nitrogen, or phosphorus.
What is the difference between ethane and ethanol? Ethane does not have a functional group, whereas ethanol has a functional group (a hydroxyl group).
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Ethane
– Definition, Features, Uses
2. What is Ethanol
– Definition, Features, Uses
3. Similarities Between Ethane and Ethanol
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Ethane and Ethanol
– Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Ethane and Ethanol
– Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Key Terms
Ethane, Ethanol
What is Ethane
Ethane is composed of two carbon atoms and six oxygen atoms. It is a simple organic compound (an alkane) with the chemical formula C₂H₆. It is a hydrocarbon. Ethane has a tetrahedral shape around each carbon atom.
Ethane is a colorless, odorless, and flammable gas at room temperature. It is insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. As it has strong C-H bonds, it is quite unreactive. But it participates in combustion with oxygen, giving out carbon dioxide and water as products. A significant amount of heat is also released in this reaction.
There are several uses of ethane. Ethane is a component of natural gas, which is used for heating, cooking, and electricity generation. It can be liquefied and transported as LNG, making it a valuable fuel source for regions with limited access to natural gas pipelines. Ethane is the starting material for the production process of ethylene. Ethane can also be used to produce other chemicals, such as acetic acid, ethanol, and chlorinated ethanes.
Though there are many uses of ethane, it has a major impact on the environment. It is a greenhouse gas contributing to global warming. Ethane also contributes to air pollution.
What is Ethanol
Ethanol is a colorless, volatile liquid having an odor. It is also called alcohol. It belongs to the alcohol group of organic compounds. Ethanol has a hydroxyl group as the functional group in its molecular structure. Its molecular formula is C₂H₅OH. Ethanol has a tetrahedral arrangement around the carbon atoms, with the hydroxyl group attached to one of the carbon atoms.
Ethanol is flammable. It is soluble in water and in many organic solvents as it is a polar molecule forming hydrogen bonding with other ethanol molecules and water molecules. It is polar due to the hydroxyl group in it. Ethanol is a weak acid and reacts with strong bases to form ethoxide salts.
There are many uses of ethanol. Mainly, it is used as a good solvent. Ethanol is also the primary ingredient in alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, and spirits. Ethanol is a renewable fuel source and can be blended with gasoline to produce E10 (10% ethanol) or E85 (85% ethanol) fuels. It is also a chemical intermediate used in the production of other compounds, such as acetic acid, ethyl acetate, and diethyl ether. Moreover, ethanol is a biofuel that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels.
Similarities Between Ethane and Ethanol
- Ethane and ethanol contain two carbon atoms.
- Both have the same number of hydrogen atoms.
- These compounds are flammable.
- They are commonly used as fuels.
Difference Between Ethane and Ethanol
Definition
- Ethane is a colorless, odorless hydrocarbon gas primarily derived from natural gas while ethanol is a colorless, volatile liquid with a distinctive odor produced from renewable sources like corn or sugarcane.
Functional Group
- Ethane is a hydrocarbon with no functional groups, while ethanol contains a hydroxyl (-OH) functional group.
State
- Ethane is a gas at room temperature, while ethanol is a liquid.
Solubility
- Ethane is insoluble in water, while ethanol is soluble.
Reactivity
- Ethane is relatively unreactive, while ethanol is more reactive.
Formation of Hydrogen Bonds
- Ethanol can form hydrogen bonds due to the presence of the hydroxyl group, while ethane cannot.
Impact on Environment
- Ethane is a fossil fuel with major environmental impacts. It is a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming and air pollution. However, ethanol is made from renewable resources and can be considered more environmentally friendly than fossil fuels.
Conclusion
Ethane and ethanol are both organic compounds containing carbon and hydrogen. However, there is a distinct difference between ethane and ethanol in their structure and properties. Ethane is a simple hydrocarbon with a single carbon-carbon bond, while ethanol contains a hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to a carbon atom.
FAQ: Ethane and Ethanol
1. Why is ethanol stronger than ethane?
Ethanol is stronger than ethane due to the presence of the hydroxyl (-OH) group. This group forms hydrogen bonds with other ethanol molecules, creating a stronger intermolecular force compared to the London dispersion forces present in ethane.
2. Is ethanol more basic than ethane?
No, ethanol is not more basic than ethane. Ethane is a hydrocarbon with only carbon-hydrogen bonds, while ethanol has an oxygen atom bonded to a hydrogen atom. This hydroxyl group in ethanol can donate a proton, making it acidic rather than basic. Ethane, on the other hand, has no such acidic hydrogen. Therefore, ethane is more basic than ethanol.
3. Why does ethane release more energy than ethanol?
In ethane, all carbon atoms are bonded to hydrogen atoms. These C-H bonds are stronger than the C-O bonds found in ethanol. When these stronger bonds are broken during combustion, more energy is released.
4. What is more soluble, ethanol or ethane?
Ethanol is more soluble in water than ethane. This is due to the presence of the hydroxyl (-OH) group in ethanol, which can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules. Ethane, on the other hand, is a nonpolar molecule and cannot form such bonds. As a result, ethanol is more soluble in water than ethane.
5. Is ethane more stable than ethylene?
Ethane is more stable than ethylene. This is due to the presence of a double bond in ethylene, which makes it more reactive than the single bond in ethane. The double bond in ethylene creates a region of electron density that is susceptible to attack by other molecules. Ethane, on the other hand, has only single bonds, making it less reactive and more stable.
Reference:
1. “Ethane.” Encyclopedia Britannica.
2. “Ethanol.” Encyclopedia Britannica.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Ethan Skelett” By NEUROtiker ⇌ – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Ethanol 2D flat” By Jü – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
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