INDEXES: HOME PAGE * SEARCH * KS3 Basic Science Quizzes for students aged ~13-14

GCSE level Biology * Chemistry * Physics ~14-16 * Advanced pre-university Chemistry ~16-19

3r. The covalent bonding in the ethanol molecule C2H5OH

[Author © Dr Phil Brown PhD: Doc Brown's chemistry exam revision notes on chemical bonding and covalent molecules - ethanol, suitable for students of UK GCSE Science level AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC and CCEA GCSE chemistry courses, ~US grades 9-10 chemistry, also useful for more advanced pre-university A level chemistry courses [page updated April 13th 2026 *]

[email doc b with any query ]  *  [privacy policy, cookies, disclaimer]  *  ]SEARCH science website]

Foundation tier (easier) m/c QUIZ on structure, properties & chemical bonding of materials

Higher tier (harder) m/c QUIZ on structure, properties and chemical bonding of materials

INDEX of notes on Covalent Bonding: small molecules and properties

OR What next?

metals \ non-metals (zig-zag line)

Pd metals Part of the modern Periodic Table

Pd = period, Gp = group

 metals => non–metals
Gp1 Gp2 Gp3 Gp4 Gp5 Gp6 Gp7 Gp0
1 1H  Note that hydrogen does not readily fit into any group but is a non-metal 2He
2 3Li 4Be atomic number Chemical Symbol eg 4Be 5B 6C 7N 8O 9F 10Ne
3 11Na 12Mg 13Al 14Si 15P 16S 17Cl 18Ar
4 19K 20Ca 21Sc 22Ti 23V 24Cr 25Mn 26Fe 27Co 28Ni 29Cu 30Zn 31Ga 32Ge 33As 34Se 35Br 36Kr
5 37Rb 38Sr 39Y 40Zr 41Nb 42Mo 43Tc 44Ru 45Rh 46Pd 47Ag 48Cd 49In 50Sn 51Sb 52Te 53I 54Xe
6 55Cs 56Ba Transition Metals 81Tl 82Pb 83Bi 84Po 85At 86Rn
The covalent molecule ethane from carbon combining with hydrogen

The organic molecule ethanol is composed of three non-metallic elements, carbon, hydrogen and oxygen.

Empirical and molecular formula C2H6O, abbreviated structural formula C2H5OH  or  CH3CH2OH

ball and stick model of ethanol molecular structure The ball and stick model of the ethanol molecule.

displayed formula of ethanol - the full structural formula molecular structure The displayed formula of ethanol - the full structural formula

dot and cross diagram of ethanol molecule molecular structure The dot and cross diagram of the ethanol molecule.

Only the outer electrons are shown in the dot and cross diagram above.

The 2 inner electrons of carbon and oxygen are not shown.

Carbon's outer electrons are 2.4, oxygen 2.6 and hydrogen just 1.

Comments

Melting point of ethanol -114 oC

Boiling point of ethanol 78 oC

You would expect relatively low values because of the weak intermolecular forces between small covalent molecules like ethanol.

Typically relatively low values for relatively small covalent molecules.

Ethenol is a colourless liquid at room temperature, with a strong 'alcohol' odour familiar with 'alcoholic' drinks.

Used as a solvent and to make ethyl esters in organic chemistry.

Alcohols, Ethanol, manufacture, physical properties & chemical reactions (GCSE level)

The chemistry of ALCOHOLS (Advanced A level)

What next?

Test yourself with practice exam questions on chemical bonding?

Foundation tier (easier) m/c QUIZ on structure & bonding & properties of materials

Higher tier (harder) m/c QUIZ on structure & bonding & properties of materials

Perhaps of interest?

IGCSE/GCSE notes of alcohols including ethanol.

IGCSE/GCSE notes on esters including ethyl ethanoate preparation

INDEX of all ADVANCED A LEVEL revision notes on ALCOHOLS

Sub-index for Part 3. Covalent Bonding: small molecules & properties

Index for ALL chemical bonding and structure notes

All my GCSE level chemistry revision notes

All my advanced level pre-university chemistry revision notes

Email doc brown - comment? query?

Use My Google search box

how do describe the covalent bonding in ethanol C2H5OH CH3CH2OH how do you draw and construct the covalent bonding diagram for ethanol C2H5OH CH3CH2OH, how to explain and draw the dot and cross electronic diagram for the covalent compound molecule ethanol C2H5OH CH3CH2OH
Website content © Dr Phil Brown 2000+. All copyrights reserved on revision notes, images, quizzes, worksheets etc. Copying of Doc Brown's Chemistry website material is NOT permitted. Exam revision summaries and references to science course specifications are unofficial. Notes based on the syllabus-specifications for students taking the IGCSE/GCSE level chemistry examinations, detailed revision notes on covalent bonding and structure of small covalent molecules, their properties and uses and information to help students studying for the WJEC GCSE chemistry, CCEA GCSE chemistry, CIE Cambridge IGCSE chemistry, AQA GCSE chemistry, Edexcel GCSE chemistry, OCR gateway science suite  GCSE chemistry and OCR 21st century GCSE chemistry preparation, add some student exam tips and typical misconceptions. email for query, comment or error?

TOP OF PAGE