Moderate

Ethanol is prepared on a large scale by?

Correct answer: C. Fermentation

  • A. Hydration of alkanes
  • B. Distillation of wood
  • C. Fermentation
  • D. Williamson's synthesis

Explanation

Option A : Ethanol is not typically prepared on a large scale by the hydration of an alkane. Instead, it is usually produced by the fermentation of sugars or by the hydration of ethylene. The hydration of an alkene, such as ethylene, is a more common method for preparing alcohols like ethanol. In this reaction, ethylene is reacted with water in the presence of a catalyst to form ethanol. The hydration of an alkane, on the other hand, is not a practical method for preparing ethanol due to the low reactivity of alkanes towards water. Option B : Ethanol can be produced from the distillation of wood, this method is not commonly used on a large scale due to its inefficiency. Instead, ethanol is typically produced by the fermentation of sugars or by the hydration of ethylene. In the fermentation process, sugars are converted into ethanol and carbon dioxide by yeast or bacteria. In the hydration of ethylene, ethylene is reacted with water in the presence of a catalyst to form ethanol. These methods are more efficient and practical for producing ethanol on a large scale. Option: C Ethyl alcohol on a large scale is obtained by the fermentation of molasses (obtained from sugarcane juice) with enzymes (invertase and zymase) present in the yeast. Option D: Ethanol is not typically prepared on a large scale by the Williamson synthesis. The Williamson synthesis is a method for preparing ethers from an alkoxide ion and an alkyl halide. It is not a practical method for preparing alcohols like ethanol on a large scale.

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About Alcohols and Phenols

Alcohols are classified as primary, secondary or tertiary and studied through their hydrogen bonding, acidity, oxidation and reactions with active metals, acids and halogenating agents. Phenols require separate treatment because the hydroxyl group is attached to an aromatic ring, making their acidity and electrophilic substitution different from ordinary alcohols.

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