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For [[Alcoholic drinks]] please see the specific article.
<small>''This is an article about the chemical [[functional group]]. For the beverage, see [[alcoholic drinks]]''</small>
Alcohols are a group of organic compounds consisting of a hydrocarbon or group with an -OH group; C<sub>n</sub>H<sub>2+1</sub>OH.
'''Alcohols''' are a group of organic compounds consisting of a hydrocarbon or group with an -OH group; C<sub>n</sub>H<sub>2+1</sub>OH.
Commonly, the word alcohol refers to ethanol (C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>OH), which is the predominant alcohol found in [[alcoholic drinks]]. Ethanol is produced by yeast during the [[anerobic]] [[metabolism]], comparable to the production of [[lactic acid]] in [[mammals]].
Commonly, the word alcohol refers to ethanol (C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>OH), which is the alcohol found in [[alcoholic drinks]]. Ethanol is produced by yeast during the [[anerobic]] [[metabolism]], comparable to the production of [[lactic acid]] in [[mammals]].
==Methanol==
==Methanol==
Methanol consists of a single carbon atom, with three hydrogen atoms and a -OH. Traditionally, methanol was produced by the fermentation of wood, leading to the term 'wood alcohol'. Industrially, methanol can be produced by the reaction of [[carbon monoxide]] and [[hydrogen]] (CO + 2 H<sub>2</sub> = CHO<sub>3</sub>OH). For this industrial process, copper, zinc oxide and aluminum oxide may be used as catalysts at 250°C and a pressure of 50-100 atm.
[[Methanol]] consists of a single [[carbon]] atom, with three [[hydrogen]] atoms and a hydroxyl group (-OH). Traditionally, methanol was produced by the fermentation of wood, leading to the term 'wood alcohol'. Industrially, methanol can be produced by the reaction of [[carbon monoxide]] and [[hydrogen]] (CO + 2 H<sub>2</sub> = CHO<sub>3</sub>OH). For this industrial process, copper, zinc oxide and aluminum oxide may be used as catalysts at 250°C and a pressure of 50-100 atm.
The primary use of methanol is its addition to ethanol to make it undrinkable. It has also been used as a [[biofuel]].
The primary use of methanol is its addition to ethanol to make it undrinkable. It has also been used as a [[biofuel]].
==Ethanol==
==Ethanol==
[[Ethanol]] (C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>OH) is a major industrial spirit widely used in laboratories and household applications. Most significantly though, it is the major alcohol in alcoholic drinks.
Ethanol (C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>5</sub>OH) is a major industrial spirit widely used in laboratories and household applications. Most significantly though, it is the major alcohol in alcoholic drinks.
[[Category:Chemistry]]
[[Category:Chemistry]]