In: Chemistry
Ethanol
The molecular formula of ethanol is CH3CH2OH. Ethanol is used in variety of manufacturing process. Ethanol is widely used as a solvent, miscible with water and with many organic solvents, including acetic acid, acetone, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, diethyl ether, ethylene glycol, glycerol, nitromethane, pyridine, and toluene. It is also miscible with light aliphatic hydrocarbons, such as pentane and hexane, and with aliphatic chlorides such as trichloroethane and tetrachloroethylene. It is relatively safe, and can be used to dissolve many organic compounds which are insoluble in water. It is used, for example, in many perfumes and cosmetics. It is used extensively as a solvent in the manufacture of varnishes and perfumes; as a preservative for biological specimens, in the preparation of essences and flavorings; in many medicines and drugs.
Ether.
Ethers are a class of organic compounds. The general formula is R-O-R. They contain an ether group that is an oxygen atom linked to two alkyl or aryl groups. The ether linkages are common in carbohydrates and lignin. Two types of ethers are there , symmetrical and unsymmetrical. Diethyl ether is a symmetrical ether. It is a solvent and anesthetic. Ether evaporates very quickly when exposed to air. At room temperature, ethers are pleasant-smelling colourless liquids. Relative to alcohols, ethers are generally less dense, are less soluble in water, and have lower boiling points. They are relatively unreactive, and as a result they are useful as solvents for fats, oils, waxes, perfumes, resins, dyes, gums, and hydrocarbons.
Methylene chloride
It is also kown as dichloromethane. Its chemical formula is CH2Cl2. It is a volatile, colourless liquid, with a mildly sweet, not unpleasant odour. It’s immiscible with water but can dissolve a wide range of organic compounds. These properties make it the perfect solvent for use in the lab, and also to separate and extract organic products.