# Ethanol is an alcohol used in alcoholic drinks and as a fuel. When ethanol burns completely in oxygen, it produces carbon dioxide and water. Ethanol can also react with sodium metal. Describe what you would observe when a small piece of sodium is added to ethanol, and explain why ethanol is classified as an alcohol rather than a haloalkane.

> OCR A-Level Chemistry B: Salters (H433) — 4.2 Alcohols, haloalkanes and analysis · Describe · 5 marks

> Ethanol has the molecular formula C₂H₅OH. Haloalkanes contain a halogen atom bonded to a carbon chain, for example chloroethane (C₂H₅Cl).

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Sodium reacts with ethanol and bubbles/fizzing is observed
2. The sodium gradually disappears / gets smaller
3. The gas produced is hydrogen
4. Ethanol contains an –OH (hydroxyl) functional group bonded to a carbon chain
5. Haloalkanes contain a halogen atom (F, Cl, Br or I) instead of –OH, so ethanol does not contain a halogen and therefore is not a haloalkane

## Key terms

- [alcohol](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/alcohol)
- [haloalkane](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/haloalkane)

## Related

- [Revision notes for OCR A-Level Chemistry B: Salters (H433)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/ethanol-is-an-alcohol-used-in-7e2e6edb) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.