Absolute alcohol

Absolute Alcohol

Absolute alcohol refers to ethanol that contains no more than one percent water. It is also known as anhydrous ethanol or 100% alcohol. Absolute alcohol is not 100% pure in the literal sense, but it contains ethanol in such high concentration (99.9%) that it's considered as pure.

Production

Absolute alcohol is produced through the process of distillation, specifically fractional distillation. This process involves heating a mixture to create vapor and then cooling that vapor to create liquid. The process of distillation takes advantage of the different boiling points of water and ethanol.

Uses

Absolute alcohol has a wide range of uses across various industries. In the pharmaceutical industry, it is used as a solvent and an antiseptic. It is also used in the manufacturing of perfumes, paints, and tinctures. In the laboratory, it is used for dehydration of tissues and the precipitation of nucleic acids and proteins.

In the food industry, absolute alcohol is used in the production of vinegar, food extracts, and flavorings. It is also used in the beverage industry for the production of spirits and liqueurs.

Safety and Precautions

Despite its many uses, absolute alcohol is highly flammable and can cause serious harm if ingested or comes into contact with the skin. It is important to handle absolute alcohol with care, using appropriate safety equipment and following safety guidelines.

See Also

• Ethanol
• Distillation
• Fractional distillation
• Pharmaceutical industry
• Food industry