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The Difference between Ethanol and Trifluoroethanol
by: Stephanie Larkin



There are many differences between Ethanol and Trifluoroethanol. One of the major

differences in usage is that ethanol has recently been used as an alternative fuel. Although

Ethanol is used as a solvent as well, Trifluoroethanol on the other hand is an organic

compound that is used as a solvent in chemistry.

Chemistry Make Up of Ethanol and Trifluoroethanol

Ethanol is also known as drinking alcohol or grain alcohol, or ethyl alcohol. It is a

flammable and colorless chemical compound. The alcohol in beverages with alcohol is also

known as ethanol. Many times, Ethanol is referred to simply as "alcohol", although that

distinction is not always quite correct. It has the molecular formula of EtOH, CH3CH2OH,

C2H5OH, and is also known by its empirical formula of C2H6O. Ethanol is classified as being

an alcohol. This means that the carbon that is attached to its hydroxyl group is a carbon

which has at least two hydrogen atoms that are attached to it also. Ethanol has a hydroxyl

proton that is weakly acidic, even more so than water.

Trifluoroethanol, on the other hand, is an fluoro organic compound. It has the formula of

CF3CH2OH. It is also known as TFE, and is sometimes called trifluoroethyl alcohol. It is

also colorless, but is a liquid compound that is water-miscible. It is often confused with

Ethanol because Trifluoroethanol smells similar to Ethanol. Trifluoroethanol is extremely

acidic, much more acidic than ethanol. It is therefore able to form stable compounds with

other heterocycles, through hydrogen bonding.

Creation of Ethanol and Trifluoroethanol

Ethanol is created by the fermentation of sugar. This is almost the earliest organic

reaction that is known to man. In fact, this organic reaction, and the intoxicating effects

that consuming Ethanol have had on the body, have been known since ancient times. Ethanol is

also used in industry, and this type of ethanol is produced from petroleum refining.

Trifluoroethanol, on the other hand, is produced industrially. It is formed by the process

of hydrogenation – or the process of the reduction of hydride derivatives of esters or acid

chloride. These derivatives of trifluoroacetic acid are what produce Trifluoroethanol.

Trifluoroethanol can also be produced by hydrogenolysis of certain compounds. These are the

compounds of the genetic formula CF3-CHOH-OR.

Uses of Ethanol and Trifluoroethanol

Ethanol has been used for many years as a solvent for substances that are intended to come

into contact with humans. This includes lots of different things, such as scents,

flavorings, medicines, or colorings. It is also a solvent in chemistry. This is because it

is extremely versatile – meaning that it can be mixed with water and many other organic

solvents. Some of these include acetic acide, benzene, acetone, chloroform, carbon

tetrachloride, diethyl ether, glycerol, ethylene glycol, pyridine, toluene, and

nitromethane. It can also be mixed with aliphatic chlorides. These include trichloroethane,

and tetrachloroethylene.

Ethanol and water mixed together create several unusual phenomena. It is able to reduce the

surface tension of water. It also forms an azeotrope or constant-boiling mixture when it is

mixed with water.

However, most notably Ethanol is used as a fuel for internal combustion engines. It is used

for motor fuel, and also for a fuel additive. This happens all over the world, but Brazil

has the highest percentage of Ethanol that is found in fuels. 20% of the fuel is ethanol. In

the United States, a mixture of 85% Ethanol has been introduced as a fuel for cars. Cars

must be created with the ability to use this fuel.

Trifluoroethanol, on the other hand, is used as a solvent in organic chemistry. Most

notably, Trifluoroethanol is used in oxidations of sulfur compounds that use hydrogen

peroxide. Trifluoroethanol is also used in biology. It is a co-solvent in the protein

folding process that is used with NMR spectroscopy. This is because TFE can solubilize

proteins and also peptides. It has a very strong effect on the structure of proteins, which

is a three dimensional structure. This effect allows Trifluoroethanol to be used in these

situations and to be used to create solutions with proteins. Trifluoroethanol is also used

industrially. It is used in these situations as a solvent for nylon. This allows the nylon

to be changed and molded. Trifluoroethanol is also used in several applications in the

pharmaceutical field.

Although Ethanol and Trifluoroethanol smell the same, and are both used as solvents, they

are actually quite different. Understanding this difference allows companies and researchers

to use both of these compounds to their greatest overall potentials.