Application

Ethanol has been used as internal standard in GC-MS analysis for the determination of methanol and free glycerol in biodiesel. It may have been used as reference standard in GC analysis for determination of ethanol in beer.

Footnote

¹Distribution and use of ethyl alcohol in Switzerland require a license from the Swiss Federal Alcohol Administration

General description

Ethanol is a clear, colorless liquid, which can prepared by fermentation of certain carbohydrates. It is used as a topical disinfectant as it has bactericidal activity. It is the primary ingredient in alcoholic beverages, and is widely used as a solvent and preservative in pharmaceutical preparations. As a solvent of substances intended for human contact or consumption, it is widely used in colorings, scents, flavorings, and medicines. Ethanol has a depressive effect on the central nervous system (CNS), and owing to its psychoactive effects, it is considered a drug. Ethanol has a complex mode of action and affects multiple systems in the brain, most notably it acts as an agonist to the GABA receptors. It is also a gasoline additive and mostly used as an alternative to petroleum as it can reduce CO and CO₂ levels during emission when compared to other fossil fuels.

Other Notes

Sales restrictions may apply