Ethanol ethanol, organic compound, molecular formula C2H6O, simple structure CH3CH2OH or C2H5OH, commonly known as alcohol, is the most common monobasic alcohol.

Ethanol is a flammable, volatile, colorless transparent liquid at room temperature and pressure. It has low toxicity and pure liquid can not be directly drinkable. It has a special fragrance and slightly irritating. It is slightly sweet and has a pungent taste of stimulation. Flammable, its vapor can form explosive mixture with air, and can dissolve with water in any ratio. It can be miscible with chloroform, ether, methanol, acetone and most other organic solvents with relative density (d15.56) of 0.816.

Ethanol is widely used in the manufacture of acetic acid, beverages, flavors, dyes and fuels. Ethanol with a volume fraction of 70%~75% is also commonly used as disinfectant in medical treatment. It is widely used in national defense, chemical industry, medical and health, food industry, industrial and agricultural production.

Ethanol and dimethyl ether (methyl ether) are functional isomers.