3.3.5.1 production of alcohols

• general formula of alcohols

  CnH2n+1OH
• hydration


  produces alcohols from alkenes in the presence of an acid catalyst
• hydration conditions 


  H3PO4 catalyst under aqueous conditions at 300 degrees celsius and high pressures
• hydration of alcohols

  
• hydration percentage yield 


  very high as ethanol is the only product - favoured as an industrial process
• fermentation 


  enzymes break down starch from crops into sugars which can then be fermented to form alcohol
• fermentation cost 


  cheaper than hydration as it can be carried out at a lower temperature
• fermentation percentage yield 


  has to be fermented in batches, so it is a much slower process with a lower percentage yield
• fermentation - ethanol common use


  common biofuel produced in this way
• why is fermentation said to be carbon neutral?

  the carbon given out when it is burned is equal to the carbon taken in by the crops during the growing process
• fermentation process