Ethanol

Ethanol is an organic compound made up of two parts, an oxygen atom and a hydrocarbon group with two hydrogen and one carbon atom joined together. It is an important industrial and household chemical and has many uses. Ethanol is most commonly used as a fuel, as an ingredient in alcoholic beverages, and as a solvent. In the fuel industry, it is used as an additive to gasoline and diesel fuel, to reduce emissions of pollutants, including carbon dioxide. In the alcoholic beverage industry, ethanol is the alcohol that gives drinks their characteristic taste and alcohol content. As a solvent, ethanol is used to dissolve and bind together other chemicals. It is also a popular ingredient in cosmetics and medicines.