SUBSTITUTION PRODUCTS OF THE HYDROCARBONS 31 



{d) shellac, {e) rosin, (/) chloroform, {g) iodoform, Qi) iodine, {i) sul- 

 phur, (j) lard or tallow, {k) cottonseed oil. 



Ethyl Alcohol {Common Alcohol) 



Properties. — Ethyl alcohol, CH3CH2OH or C2H5OH, is the 

 common alcohol of commerce, and is contained in a greater or 

 less amount in alcoholic beverages. It bears the same relation 

 to methyl alcohol that ethane does to methane. It is a water- 

 like liquid similar to methyl alcohol in general appearance and 

 properties. It boils at 78° and has a specific gravity of 0.806 

 at 0° C. It differs from methyl alcohol in having a pleasant 

 odor. It burns with a non-luminous flame and mixes with 

 water in all proportions. It resembles methyl alcohol in its 

 solvent properties, but is stronger in this action toward most 

 organic substances. It forms crystalline compounds with 

 certain salts, e.g. calcium chloride, CaCl2. 



In dilute form, as it is found in beverages, alcohol has been 

 known from ancient times and in nearly all countries. It was 

 first obtained in concentrated pure form in the Middle Ages, 

 and absolute or 100 per cent alcohol was made first in 1796, 

 and its composition determined in 1808. 



EXPERIMENT STUDY VU 



Ethyl Alcohol 



(i) (2) Perform all of the tests under Experiment VI, i, 2, with 

 ethyl alcohol. (3) To a little absolute ethyl alcohol in a test tube, 

 which is fitted to generate gas and collect it over water in another 

 tube, add a small piece of metallic sodium the size of half a pea. 

 Note generation of gas. The gas is hydrogen, as may be proven by 

 testing. Repeat addition of sodium if necessary to collect enough 

 gas to test. How does the reaction compare with that of sodium and 

 water? After the reaction is over evaporate the alcohol in a small 



about 2 or 3 c.c. of water ; to the second about the same amount of methyl 

 alcohol, and to the third ethyl alcohol. Shake each tube, and notice solubility of 

 the substance. If it does not dissolve, warm the tube a little. If it is doubtful 

 whether any solution has occurred, filter the clear liquid into a watch glass and let 

 it evaporate. A residue will show solubility of the original substance. 



