Editing Ethanol (section)

== Uses ==
=== Recreational drug ===
{{Main|Alcohol (drug)}}
As a [[central nervous system]] [[depressant]], ethanol is one of the most commonly consumed [[psychoactive drug]]s.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Alcohol use and safe drinking: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia | url=https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001944.htm | access-date=2023-03-11 | website=medlineplus.gov | language=en}}</ref> Despite alcohol's psychoactive, addictive, and [[Alcohol and cancer|carcinogenic]] properties,{{citation needed|date=April 2025}} it is readily available and legal for sale in many countries. There are laws regulating the sale, exportation/importation, taxation, manufacturing, consumption, and possession of alcoholic beverages. The most common regulation is prohibition for minors.

In mammals, ethanol is primarily [[metabolized]] in the [[liver]] and [[stomach]] by ADH enzymes.<ref name="Farrés">{{cite journal | vauthors=Farrés J, Moreno A, Crosas B, Peralba JM, Allali-Hassani A, Hjelmqvist L, Jörnvall H, Parés X | display-authors=6 | title=Alcohol dehydrogenase of class IV (σσ-ADH) from human stomach. cDNA sequence and structure/function relationships | journal=European Journal of Biochemistry | volume=224 | issue=2 | pages=549–557 | date=September 1994 | pmid=7925371 | doi=10.1111/j.1432-1033.1994.00549.x | doi-access=free}}</ref> These enzymes catalyze the [[oxidation]] of ethanol into [[acetaldehyde]] (ethanal):<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=Edenberg HJ, McClintick JN | title=Alcohol Dehydrogenases, Aldehyde Dehydrogenases, and Alcohol Use Disorders: A Critical Review | journal=Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research | volume=42 | issue=12 | pages=2281–2297 | date=December 2018 | pmid=30320893 | doi=10.1111/acer.13904 | pmc=6286250}}</ref>

:CH<sub>3</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>OH + NAD<sup>+</sup> → CH<sub>3</sub>CHO + [[NADH]] + H<sup>+</sup>

When present in significant concentrations, this metabolism of ethanol is additionally aided by the [[cytochrome P450]] enzyme [[CYP2E1]] in humans, while trace amounts are also metabolized by [[catalase]].<ref>{{cite book | author1=Heit, C. | author2=Dong, H. | author3=Chen, Y. | author4=Thompson, D.C. | author5=Dietrich, R.A. | author6=Vasiliou, V.K. | title=Cytochrome P450 2E1: Its Role in Disease and Drug Metabolism | chapter=The Role of CYP2E1 in Alcohol Metabolism and Sensitivity in the Central Nervous System | series=Subcellular Biochemistry | date=2013 | volume=67 | pages=235–237 | doi=10.1007/978-94-007-5881-0_8 | pmid=23400924 | pmc=4314297 | isbn=978-94-007-5880-3}}</ref> The resulting intermediate, acetaldehyde, is a known carcinogen, and poses significantly greater toxicity in humans than ethanol itself. Many of the symptoms typically associated with alcohol intoxication—as well as many of the health hazards typically associated with the long-term consumption of ethanol—can be attributed to acetaldehyde toxicity in humans.<ref>{{cite web | title=Alcohol Metabolism: An Update | url=https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa72/aa72.htm | website=NIAA Publications | publisher=National Institute of Health | access-date=10 March 2021 | archive-date=28 February 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228215303/https://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AA72/AA72.htm | url-status=dead}}</ref>

The subsequent oxidation of acetaldehyde into [[acetate]] is performed by [[aldehyde dehydrogenase]] (ALDH) enzymes. A mutation in the ALDH2 gene that encodes for an inactive or dysfunctional form of this enzyme affects roughly 50% of east Asian populations, contributing to the characteristic [[alcohol flush reaction]] that can cause temporary reddening of the skin as well as a number of related, and often unpleasant, symptoms of acetaldehyde toxicity.<ref name="Eng et al.">{{cite journal | vauthors=Eng MY, Luczak SE, Wall TL | date=2007 | title=ALDH2, ADH1B, and ADH1C genotypes in Asians: a literature review | journal=Alcohol Research & Health | volume=30 | issue=1 | pages=22–27 | pmc=3860439 | pmid=17718397}}</ref> This mutation is typically accompanied by another mutation in the ADH enzyme [[ADH1B]] in roughly 80% of east Asians, which improves the catalytic efficiency of converting ethanol into acetaldehyde.<ref name="Eng et al." />

=== Medical ===
{{Main|Alcohol (medicine)}}
Ethanol is the oldest known [[sedative]], used as an oral [[general anesthetic]] during surgery in ancient [[Mesopotamia]] and in [[Middle Ages|medieval times]].<ref name="Powell1996" /><ref name="Schnelle" /> Mild intoxication starts at a [[blood alcohol concentration]] of 0.03-0.05% and induces [[Induced coma|anesthetic coma]] at 0.4%.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.medicalsecretsmd.com/post/natural-old-school-anesthesia-ancient-opium-alcohol-marijuana | title=3 Natural, Ancient Anesthetics No One Talks About: Opium, Alcohol, Marijuana | last=Kaveh | first=Anthony | website=Dr. Anthony Kaveh, MD | access-date=December 30, 2022}}</ref> This use carries the high risk of deadly [[alcohol intoxication]], [[pulmonary aspiration]] and vomiting, which led to use of alternatives in antiquity, such as [[opium]] and [[cannabis]], and later diethyl ether, starting in the 1840s.<ref name= Grattan>Grattan, N. "Treatment of Uterine Haemorrhage". ''Provincial Medicine and Surgical Journal''. Vol. 1, No. 6 (Nov. 7, 1840), p. 107.</ref>

Ethanol is used as an [[antiseptic]] in medical wipes and [[hand sanitizer]] gels  for its bactericidal and anti-fungal effects.<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Pohorecky | first1=Larissa A. | last2=Brick | first2=John | title=Pharmacology of ethanol | journal=Pharmacology & Therapeutics | date=January 1988 | volume=36 | issue=2–3 | pages=335–427 | doi=10.1016/0163-7258(88)90109-X | pmid=3279433}}</ref> Ethanol kills [[microorganism]]s by dissolving their membrane [[lipid bilayer]] and [[Denaturation (biochemistry)|denaturing]] their [[protein]]s, and is effective against most [[bacteria]], [[fungi]] and [[virus]]es. It is ineffective against bacterial [[Endospore|spores]], which can be treated with [[hydrogen peroxide]].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=McDonnell G, Russell AD | title=Antiseptics and disinfectants: activity, action, and resistance | journal=Clinical Microbiology Reviews | volume=12 | issue=1 | pages=147–179 | date=January 1999 | pmid=9880479 | pmc=88911 | doi=10.1128/CMR.12.1.147}}</ref>

A solution of 70% ethanol is more effective than pure ethanol because ethanol relies on water molecules for optimal antimicrobial activity. Absolute ethanol may inactivate microbes without destroying them because the alcohol is unable to fully permeate the microbe's membrane.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/disinfection-methods/chemical.html | title=Chemical Disinfectants {{!}} Disinfection & Sterilization Guidelines {{!}} Guidelines Library {{!}} Infection Control {{!}} CDC | website=www.cdc.gov | language=en-us | access-date=2018-01-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.researchgate.net/post/Why_is_70_ethanol_used_for_wiping_microbiological_working_areas | title=Why is 70% ethanol used for wiping microbiological working areas? | website=ResearchGate | language=en | access-date=2018-01-29}}</ref> Ethanol can also be used as a disinfectant and antiseptic by inducing cell dehydration through disruption of the osmotic balance across the cell membrane, causing  water to leave the cell, leading to cell death.<ref>{{cite web | title=Ethanol | url=https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00898 | website=www.drugbank.ca | access-date=28 January 2019}}</ref>

Ethanol may be administered as an [[antidote]] to [[ethylene glycol poisoning]]<ref>{{cite journal | last1=Scalley | first1=Robert | name-list-style=vanc | title=Treatment of Ethylene Glycol Poisoning | journal=American Family Physician | date=September 2002 | volume=66 | issue=5 | pages=807–813 | pmid=12322772 | url=https://www.aafp.org/afp/2002/0901/p807.html | access-date=15 January 2018}}</ref> and [[methanol poisoning]].<ref name=EM2016>{{cite journal | last1=Beauchamp | first1=GA | last2=Valento | first2=M | title=Toxic Alcohol Ingestion: Prompt Recognition And Management In The Emergency Department. | journal=Emergency Medicine Practice | date=September 2016 | volume=18 | issue=9 | pages=1–20 | pmid=27538060}}</ref> It does so by acting as a [[competitive inhibitor]] against [[methanol]] and [[ethylene glycol]] for [[alcohol dehydrogenase]] (ADH).<ref>{{Cite journal | last1=Sasanami | first1=Misa | last2=Yamada | first2=Taihei | last3=Obara | first3=Takafumi | last4=Nakao | first4=Atsunori | last5=Naito | first5=Hiromichi | title=Oral Ethanol Treatment for Ethylene Glycol Intoxication | journal=Cureus | year=2020 | volume=12 | issue=12 | pages=e12268 | doi=10.7759/cureus.12268 | doi-access=free | issn=2168-8184 | pmc=7827791 | pmid=33510981}}</ref> Though it has more side effects, ethanol is less expensive and more readily available than [[fomepizole]] in the role.<ref>{{Cite journal | last1=Anseeuw | first1=Kurt | last2=Sabbe | first2=Marc B. | last3=Legrand | first3=Annemie | date=April 2008 | title=Methanol poisoning: the duality between 'fast and cheap' and 'slow and expensive' | url=https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18446077/ | journal=European Journal of Emergency Medicine | volume=15 | issue=2 | pages=107–109 | doi=10.1097/MEJ.0b013e3282f3c13b | issn=0969-9546 | pmid=18446077 | s2cid=23861841}}</ref>

Ethanol is used to dissolve many water-insoluble medications and related compounds. Liquid preparations of [[analgesics|pain medications]], [[Cold medicine|cough and cold medicines]], and mouth washes, for example, may contain up to 25% ethanol<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.mssny.org/App_Themes/MSSNY/pdf/AlcoholContent.pdf | title=Alcohol Content in Common Preparations | publisher=Medical Society of the State of New York | access-date=October 8, 2019 | archive-date=29 April 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429232655/https://www.mssny.org/App_Themes/MSSNY/pdf/AlcoholContent.pdf | url-status=dead}}</ref> and may need to be avoided in individuals with adverse reactions to ethanol such as [[alcohol-induced respiratory reactions]].<ref name="Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2013">{{cite journal | vauthors=Adams KE, Rans TS | title=Adverse reactions to alcohol and alcoholic beverages | journal=Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology | volume=111 | issue=6 | pages=439–445 | date=December 2013 | pmid=24267355 | doi=10.1016/j.anai.2013.09.016}}</ref> Ethanol is present mainly as an antimicrobial preservative in over 700 liquid preparations of medicine including [[acetaminophen]], [[iron supplement]]s, [[ranitidine]], [[furosemide]], [[mannitol]], [[phenobarbital]], [[trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole]] and [[over-the-counter]] [[cough medicine]].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=Zuccotti GV, Fabiano V | title=Safety issues with ethanol as an excipient in drugs intended for pediatric use | journal=Expert Opinion on Drug Safety | volume=10 | issue=4 | pages=499–502 | date=July 2011 | pmid=21417862 | doi=10.1517/14740338.2011.565328 | s2cid=41876817}}</ref>

Some medicinal solutions of ethanol are also known as [[tincture]]s.

=== Energy source ===
{{See also|Food vs. fuel}}
{{Main|Ethanol fuel}}
[[File:Corn vs Ethanol production.webp|thumb|upright=1.36|center|Corn vs ethanol production in the United States
{{legend|#FFD932|Total corn production ([[bushel]]s) (left)}}
{{legend|B51700|Corn used for [[Ethanol fuel]] (bushels) (left)}}
{{legend-line|#313131 solid 3px|Percent of corn used for Ethanol (right)}}
]]

{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left:1em;"
|+[[Energy density|Energy content]] ([[lower heating value]]) of some fuels compared with ethanol.
|-
!Fuel type|| MJ/L|| MJ/kg|| [[octane rating|Research<br />octane<br />number]]
|-
|[[Wood fuel|Dry wood (20% moisture)]]|| ||~19.5||
|-
|[[Methanol]]||17.9||19.9||108.7<ref name="Fuel 89 (2010) 2713-2720">{{cite journal | doi=10.1016/j.fuel.2010.01.032 | title=Impact of alcohol–gasoline fuel blends on the performance and combustion characteristics of an SI engine | year=2010 | last1=Eyidogan | first1=Muharrem | last2=Ozsezen | first2=Ahmet Necati | last3=Canakci | first3=Mustafa | last4=Turkcan | first4=Ali | name-list-style=vanc | journal=Fuel | volume=89 | issue=10 | pages=2713–2720 | bibcode=2010Fuel...89.2713E}}</ref>
|-
|[[Ethanol fuel|Ethanol]]||21.2<ref name="Thomas">{{cite web | last=Thomas | first=George | url=http://www.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/pdfs/storage.pdf | title=Overview of Storage Development DOE Hydrogen Program | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070221185632/http://www1.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/pdfs/storage.pdf | archive-date=21 February 2007 | location=Livermore, California | publisher=Sandia National Laboratories | year=2000}}</ref>||26.8<ref name="Thomas" />
||108.6<ref name="Fuel 89 (2010) 2713-2720" />
|-
|[[E85]]<br />(85% ethanol, 15% gasoline)||25.2||33.2||105
|-
|[[Liquefied natural gas]]||25.3||~55||
|-
|[[Autogas]] ([[Liquified petroleum gas|LPG]])<br />(60% [[propane]] + 40% [[butane]])||26.8||50||
|-
|[[Aviation gasoline]]<br />(high-octane gasoline, not jet fuel)||33.5||46.8||100/130 (lean/rich)
|-
|[[Alcohol fuel|Gasohol]]<br />(90% gasoline + 10% ethanol)||33.7||47.1||93/94
|-
| Regular gasoline/petrol||34.8||44.4<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www1.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/pdfs/storage.pdf | last=Thomas | first=George | name-list-style=vanc | title=Overview of Storage Development DOE Hydrogen Program | publisher=Sandia National Laboratories | year=2000 | access-date=1 August 2009}}</ref>||min. 91
|-
| Premium gasoline/petrol|| || ||max. 104
|-
|[[Diesel fuel|Diesel]]||38.6||45.4||25
|-
|[[Charcoal]], extruded||50||23||
|}

The largest single use of ethanol is as an engine [[fuel]] and [[fuel additive]]. [[Brazil]] in particular relies heavily upon the use of ethanol as an engine fuel, due in part to its role as one of the world's leading producers of ethanol.<ref>{{cite web | title=Availability of Sources of E85 | url=http://www.cleanairtrust.org/Sources-Availability-E85.html | website=Clean Air Trust | access-date=27 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Fuel ethanol production worldwide | url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/281606/ethanol-production-in-selected-countries/ | website=Statista | access-date=2 June 2021}}</ref> [[Gasoline]] sold in Brazil contains at least 25% [[anhydrous]] ethanol. Hydrous ethanol (about 95% ethanol and 5% water) can be used as fuel in more than 90% of new gasoline-fueled cars sold in the country.

The US and many other countries primarily use E10 (10% ethanol, sometimes known as gasohol) and E85 (85% ethanol) ethanol/gasoline mixtures. Over time, it is believed that a material portion of the ≈{{convert|150|e9USgal|m3|adj=on}} per year market for gasoline will begin to be replaced with fuel ethanol.<ref name="rfa1">{{cite web | date=20 November 2006 | title=First Commercial U.S. Cellulosic Ethanol Biorefinery Announced | url=http://www.ethanolmarket.com/PressReleaseRFA102006.html | access-date=31 May 2011 | publisher=Renewable Fuels Association}}</ref>

[[File:Ethyl alcohol usp grade.jpg|thumb|upright|[[chemical purity|USP grade]] ethanol for laboratory use]]

Australian law limits the use of pure ethanol from [[sugarcane]] waste to 10% in automobiles. Older cars (and vintage cars designed to use a slower burning fuel) should have the engine valves upgraded or replaced.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mtfca.com.au | title=Model T Ford Club Australia (Inc.) | last=Green | first=Ray | name-list-style=vanc | access-date=24 June 2011 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114075515/http://mtfca.com.au/ | archive-date=14 January 2014 | df=dmy-all}}</ref>

According to an industry [[advocacy group]], ethanol as a fuel reduces harmful [[tailpipe emissions]] of carbon monoxide, particulate matter, [[oxides of nitrogen]], and other ozone-forming pollutants.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ethanol.org/index.php?id=34&parentid=8#Environment | title=Ethanol 101 | publisher=American Coalition for Ethanol | access-date=26 March 2011 | archive-date=14 November 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201114003907/https://ethanol.org/index.php?id=34&parentid=8#Environment | url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Argonne National Laboratory]] analyzed greenhouse gas emissions of many different engine and fuel combinations, and found that [[biodiesel]]/petrodiesel blend ([[B20 (biodiesel)|B20]]) showed a reduction of 8%, conventional [[E85]] ethanol blend a reduction of 17% and [[cellulosic ethanol]] 64%, compared with pure gasoline.<ref>{{cite book | chapter-url=http://www.energyfuturecoalition.org/biofuels/benefits_env_public_health.htm | chapter=The Biofuels FAQs | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219052041/http://www.energyfuturecoalition.org/biofuels/benefits_env_public_health.htm | archive-date=19 February 2011 | title=The Biofuels Source Book | author=Energy Future Coalition | publisher=[[United Nations Foundation]]}}</ref> Ethanol has a much greater research octane number (RON) than gasoline, meaning it is less prone to pre-ignition, allowing for better ignition advance which means more torque, and efficiency in addition to the lower carbon emissions.<ref>{{Cite journal | last1=Malaquias | first1=Augusto César Teixeira | last2=Netto | first2=Nilton Antonio Diniz | last3=Filho | first3=Fernando Antonio Rodrigues | last4=da Costa | first4=Roberto Berlini Rodrigues | last5=Langeani | first5=Marcos | last6=Baêta | first6=José Guilherme Coelho | date=2019-11-18 | title=The misleading total replacement of internal combustion engines by electric motors and a study of the Brazilian ethanol importance for the sustainable future of mobility: a review | journal=Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering | language=en | volume=41 | issue=12 | pages=567 | doi=10.1007/s40430-019-2076-1 | issn=1806-3691 | doi-access=free}}</ref>

Ethanol [[combustion]] in an [[internal combustion engine]] yields many of the products of incomplete combustion produced by gasoline and significantly larger amounts of [[formaldehyde]] and related species such as acetaldehyde.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.arb.ca.gov/bluebook/bb10/hea/hea-39037_05.htm | author=California Air Resources Board | title=Definition of a Low Emission Motor Vehicle in Compliance with the Mandates of Health and Safety Code Section 39037.05, second release | date=October 1989 | access-date=18 February 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218150535/https://www.arb.ca.gov/bluebook/bb10/hea/hea-39037_05.htm | archive-date=18 February 2018 | url-status=dead}}</ref> This leads to a significantly larger photochemical reactivity and more [[ground level ozone]].<ref>{{cite book | vauthors=Lowi A, Carter WP | date=March 1990 | title=A Method for Evaluating the Atmospheric Ozone Impact of Actual Vehicle emissions | work=S.A.E. Technical Paper | location=Warrendale, Pennsylvania}}</ref> This data has been assembled into The Clean Fuels Report comparison of fuel emissions<ref>{{cite web | vauthors=Jones TT | year=2008 | url=http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/598475 | title=The Clean Fuels Report: A Quantitative Comparison Of Motor (engine) Fuels, Related Pollution and Technologies | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909174028/http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/598475 | archive-date=9 September 2012 | url-status=dead | website=researchandmarkets.com}}</ref> and show that ethanol exhaust generates 2.14&nbsp;times as much ozone as gasoline exhaust.<ref>{{cite book | url={{google books | plainurl=y | id=Qg1qDQAAQBAJ | page=60}} | title=Electro-rheological Fluids and Magneto-rheological Suspensions | work=Proceedings of the 12th International Conference | location=Philadelphia | date=16–20 August 2010 | last=Tao | first=Rongjia | name-list-style=vanc | publisher=World Scientific | isbn=9789814340229}}</ref> When this is added into the custom ''Localized Pollution Index'' of The Clean Fuels Report, the local pollution of ethanol (pollution that contributes to smog) is rated 1.7, where gasoline is 1.0 and higher numbers signify greater pollution.<ref>{{Cite news | url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/reduce-air-pollution-do-not-rely-on-ethanol/ | title=Want to Reduce Air Pollution? Don't Rely on Ethanol Necessarily | last=Biello | first=David | name-list-style=vanc | work=Scientific American | access-date=11 July 2017 | language=en}}</ref> The [[California Air Resources Board]] formalized this issue in 2008 by recognizing control standards for formaldehydes as an emissions control group, much like the conventional [[NOx]] and reactive organic gases (ROGs).<ref>{{cite web | title=Adoption of the Airborne Toxic Control Measure to Reduce Formaldehyde Emissions from Composite Wood Products | url=http://www.wdma.com/TechnicalCenter/GreenZone/CARB/tabid/111/Default.aspx | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100309071022/http://www.wdma.com/TechnicalCenter/GreenZone/CARB/tabid/111/Default.aspx | archive-date=9 March 2010 | date=30 July 2008 | location=Chicago & Washington, DC | publisher=Window and Door Manufacturers Association}}</ref>

More than 20% of Brazilian cars are able to use 100% ethanol as fuel, which includes ethanol-only engines and [[flex-fuel]] engines.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://economia.estadao.com.br/noticias/geral,tecnologia-flex-em-automoveis-atrai-estrangeiros,178105 | title=Tecnologia flex atrai estrangeiros | publisher=Agência Estado | language=pt-BR}}</ref> Flex-fuel engines in Brazil are able to work with all ethanol, all gasoline or any mixture of both. In the United States, flex-fuel vehicles can run on 0% to 85% ethanol (15% gasoline) since higher ethanol blends are not yet allowed or efficient. Brazil supports this fleet of ethanol-burning automobiles with large national infrastructure that produces ethanol from domestically grown sugarcane.

Ethanol's high [[miscibility]] with water makes it unsuitable for shipping through modern [[Pipeline transport|pipelines]] like liquid hydrocarbons.<ref name="HornKrupp2009">{{Cite book | first1=Miriam | last1=Horn | first2=Fred | last2=Krupp | name-list-style=vanc | title=Earth: The Sequel: The Race to Reinvent Energy and Stop Global Warming | journal=Physics Today | volume=62 | issue=4 | pages=63–65 | url={{google books | plainurl=y | id=vjs7GtArBNoC | lage=85}} | date=16 March 2009 | isbn=978-0-393-06810-8 | bibcode=2009PhT....62d..63K | doi=10.1063/1.3120901 | s2cid=153892198}}</ref> Mechanics have seen increased cases of damage to small engines (in particular, the [[carburetor]]) and attribute the damage to the increased water retention by ethanol in fuel.<ref><!-- http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25936782/ -->[http://www.nbcnews.com/id/25936782/ "Mechanics see ethanol damaging small engines"]{{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923224041/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/25936782/ |date=23 September 2020 }}, ''NBC News'', 8 January 2008</ref>

Ethanol was commonly used as fuel in early [[bipropellant]] [[rocket]] (liquid-propelled) vehicles, in conjunction with an [[oxidizer]] such as liquid oxygen. The German A-4 ballistic rocket of [[World War&nbsp;II]] (better known by its propaganda name {{Nowrap|[[V-2]]}}),<ref name="Ignition">{{Cite book | last=Clark | first=John. D. | author-link=John Drury Clark | url=https://archive.org/details/ignitioninformal0000clar | title=Ignition! an informal history of liquid rocket propellants | others=Foreword by Isaac Asimov | date=1972 | publisher=Rutgers University Press | isbn=978-0-8135-0725-5 | page=[https://archive.org/details/ignitioninformal0000clar/page/9 9] | url-access=registration}}</ref> which is credited as having begun the space age, used ethanol as the main constituent of {{nowrap|''[[B-Stoff]]''}}. Under such nomenclature, the ethanol was mixed with 25% water to reduce the combustion chamber temperature.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/V/V-2.html | title=The Internet Encyclopedia of Science: V-2 | last=Darling | first=David | name-list-style=vanc | access-date=27 July 2024}}</ref><ref name="braeunig">{{Cite web | title=Basics of Space Flight: Rocket Propellants | url=http://braeunig.us/space/propel.htm | access-date=11 March 2023 | website=braeunig.us}}</ref> The {{Nowrap|V-2's}} design team helped develop U.S. rockets following World War&nbsp;II, including the ethanol-fueled [[Redstone (rocket family)|Redstone rocket]], which launched the first U.S. astronaut on [[suborbital spaceflight]].<ref>{{cite web | title=A Brief History of Rocketry | url=http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/history/rocket-history.txt | work=NASA Historical Archive | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060805203537/http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/history/rocket-history.txt | archive-date=5 August 2006 | url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book | last1=Kuettner | first1=Joachim P. | author-link=Joachim Kuettner | url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/19630012071 | title=Mercury Project Summary Including Results of the Fourth Manned Orbital Flight: May 15 and 16, 1963 | last2=Bertram | first2=Emil | date=October 1963 | page=70 | chapter=Mercury-Redstone Launch-Vehicle development and performance | id=NASA-SP-45 | chapter-url=https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19630012071/downloads/19630012071.pdf#page=78 | via=[[NASA Technical Reports Server|NTRS]]}}</ref> Alcohols fell into general disuse as more energy-dense rocket fuels were developed,<ref name="braeunig" /> although ethanol was used in recent experimental [[Light aircraft|lightweight]] [[Mark-III X-racer|rocket-powered racing aircraft]].<ref name="sdc20100426">{{cite web | url=http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/rocket-racing-tulsa-demonstration-100426.html | title=Rocket Racing League Unveils New Flying Hot Rod | first=Denise | last=Chow | name-list-style=vanc | website=[[Space.com]] | date=26 April 2010 | access-date=27 July 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308035740/https://www.space.com/8290-rocket-racing-league-unveils-flying-hot-rod.html | archive-date=8 March 2014 | url-status=live}}</ref>

Commercial fuel cells operate on reformed natural gas, [[hydrogen]] or methanol. Ethanol is an attractive alternative due to its wide availability, low cost, high purity and low toxicity. There is a wide range of fuel cell concepts that have entered trials including [[direct-ethanol fuel cell]]s, auto-thermal reforming systems and thermally integrated systems. The majority of work is being conducted at a research level although there are a number of organizations at the beginning of the commercialization of ethanol fuel cells.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=Badwal SP, Giddey S, Kulkarni A, Goel J, Basu S | title=Direct ethanol fuel cells for transport and stationary applications – A comprehensive review | journal=Applied Energy | date=May 2015 | volume=145 | pages=80–103 | doi=10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.02.002 | doi-access=free | bibcode=2015ApEn..145...80B}}</ref>

Ethanol fireplaces can be used for home heating or for decoration. Ethanol can also be used as stove fuel for cooking.<ref>{{cite news | title=Can Ethanol Fireplaces Be Cozy? | first=Debra Jo | last=Immergut | date=3 December 2015 | url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/one-fire-please-hold-the-soot-1449170833 | access-date=2 March 2016 | work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=Rajvanshi AK, Patil SM, Mendonca B | title=Low-concentration ethanol stove for rural areas in India | journal=Energy for Sustainable Development | volume=11 | issue=1 | date=March 2007 | pages=94–99 | doi=10.1016/S0973-0826(08)60568-2 | bibcode=2007ESusD..11...94R | url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0973082608605682 | citeseerx=10.1.1.142.5846}}</ref>

===Other uses===
{{more citations needed section|date=November 2024}}
Ethanol is an important industrial ingredient. It has widespread use as a precursor for other organic compounds such as ethyl [[halide]]s, ethyl [[ester]]s, diethyl ether, acetic acid, and ethyl [[amine]]s.  It is considered a universal [[solvent]], as its [[molecular]] structure allows for the dissolving of both [[Chemical polarity#Polar molecules|polar]], [[hydrophilic]] and [[nonpolar]], [[hydrophobic]] compounds. As ethanol also has a low [[boiling point]], it is easy to remove from a solution that has been used to dissolve other compounds, making it a popular extracting agent for botanical oils. [[Cannabis oil]] extraction methods often use ethanol as an extraction solvent,<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.cannabisbusinesstimes.com/article/your-guide-to-ethanol-extraction/ | title=Your Guide to Ethanol Extraction | website=Cannabis Business Times | language=en | access-date=2019-04-09}}</ref> and also as a post-processing solvent to remove oils, waxes, and [[chlorophyll]] from solution in a process known as [[Winterization of oil|winterization]].

Ethanol is found in [[paint]]s, tinctures, markers, personal care products such as mouthwashes, perfumes and deodorants, and [[Zoological specimens#Wet specimens|wet specimen]] preservatives. [[Polysaccharides]] [[Ethanol precipitation|precipitate]] from aqueous solution in the presence of alcohol, and ethanol precipitation is used for this reason in the purification of [[DNA]] and [[RNA]]. Because of its low [[freezing point]] of {{cvt|-114|C|F}} and low toxicity, ethanol is sometimes used in laboratories (with [[dry ice]] or other coolants) as a [[cooling bath]] to keep vessels at temperatures below the freezing point of water. For the same reason, it is also used as the active fluid in [[alcohol thermometer]]s.