Ethanol is classified as a primary alcohol, meaning that the carbon to which its hydroxyl group is attached has at least two hydrogen atoms attached to it as well.
The chemistry of ethanol is largely that of its hydroxyl group.
Because of ethanol's ease of production and its low toxicity, it finds widespread use as a solvent for substances intended for human contact or consumption, including scents, flavorings, colorings, and medicines. In chemistry it is both an essential solvent and a fundamental feedstock for the synthesis of other products. Because it burns cleanly, ethanol has a long history as a fuel, including as a fuel for internal combustion engines.
Specification for Absolute Alcohol1. 1. Ethanol @ 200C, vol%: min 99.5 (*) B.S 507
2.Acidity (as acetic acid), wt%: max 0.002 G.C
3.Ketone (as acetic acid), wt%: max 0.001 G.C
4.Isoamyl alcohol, wt%: max 0.05 G.C
5.Furfuraldehyde, wt%: max 0.001 G.C
6.Propan-2-ol, wt%: max 0.002 G.C
7.Methanol, wt%: max 0.010 G.C
8.Non-volatile matter, wt%: max 0.001 USF (1985)