Alcohol production

• What is the general formula for alcohols?

  CnH2n+1-OH
• What is the functional group for alcohols?

  -OH
• Explain the 3 steps to producing ethanol industrially with equations

  -Photosynthesis

  • 6CO2 + 6H2O -> C6H12O6 + 6O2

  -Fermentation of glucose

  • C6H12O6 -> 2C2H5OH + 2CO2

  -Combustion

  • 2C2H5OH + 6O2 -> 4CO2 +6H2O
• Why is the process of making bioethanol carbon neutral?

  6CO2 taken in, 6CO2 released
• Why is the process of making bioethanol not carbon neutral?

  CO2 is also given out in farming and transport so cannot be completely carbon neutral
• What are the environmental impacts of biofuel?

  -Global warming impacts

  -Less genetic diversity due to farming

  -Destruction of habitats

  -Incomplete combustion impacts global dimming

  -Fertilisers affect groundwater

  -Crop space is taken from food supply
• How are alcohol produced industrially?

  Hydration of an alkene
• What are the advantages of biofuel?

  Renewable so more sustainable than producing alcohol from crude oil

  Classed as carbon neutral
• What does yeast act as in fermentation?

  An enzyme
• Describe hydration of alkenes to produce an alcohol

  -Electrons in the double bond are used to form a bond with the H+ ion from the acid catalyst

  -A lone pair on a water molecule bonds to the carbocation

  -A hydrogen is lost from water

  -The H+ is reformed - proving the acid is a catalyst