15 Facts on HBr + CH3CH2OH: What, How To Balance & FAQs

HBr is an inorganic halide, and CH₃CH₂OH is an organic liquid. Let us explore how both of these compounds react with each other following extensive pathways. 

Hydrogen Bromide, having the chemical formula HBr, is also known as Hydrobromic acid. The compounds used to synthesize bromide compounds deliver bromine ions. Ethanol, having the chemical formula CH₃CH₂OH, is recognized as a renewable fuel. It reacts with Br^– ion to conduct a unimolecular substitution reaction.

This article is going to focus on some interesting facts about HBr + CH₃CH₂OH. It will stress the aspects like types of reaction, product formation, formation of conjugate pairs, etc.

What is the product of HBr and CH₃CH₂OH?

Ethyl Bromide (CH₃CH₂Br) and Water (H₂O) is the two products formed when Ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH) reacts with Hydrogen Bromide (HBr).

CH₃CH₂OH+ HBr ———-> CH₃CH₂Br + H₂O

What type of reaction is HBr + CH₃CH₂OH

The ethanol and hydrogen bromide (HBr) reactions are classified as nucleophilic substitution reactions.

How to balance HBr + CH₃CH₂OH

The following steps can be considered to balance the equation HBr + CH₃CH₂OH.

• Look at the unbalanced equation to make the list of elements present here.

HBr + CH₃CH₂OH —> CH₃CH₂Br+ H₂O

• The above four elements are also present on the product’s side.
• On the reactant side, there are four elements: C, H, O & Br.
• Now, make a list to count the moles for both the product and reactant sides.

Elements	No of moles on reactant side	No of moles on the product side
C	2	2
H	7	7
O	1	1
Br	1	1

• To balance chemical reactions, the stoichiometric coefficient is added generally until the mole number of all molecules is the same.
• Here, the number of moles for every element is the same on both the product and reactant sides.
• Therefore, the equation is already balanced, and it can be rewritten as-

HBr + CH₃CH₂OH = CH₃CH₂Br+ H₂O

HBr + CH₃CH₂OH titration

HBr + CH₃CH₂OH does not participate in the Titration reaction. HBr is a halide; it does not participate in any type of titration reaction like complexometric, redox, or acid-base. 

HBr + CH₃CH₂OH net ionic equation

HBr + CH₃CH₂OH has no net ionic equation because it is not a redox reaction. 

HBr + CH₃CH₂OH conjugate pairs

HBr + CH₃CH₂OH has following conjugate pairs:

• The conjugate pair of HBr = Br^–
• The conjugate pair of CH₃CH₂OH= C₂H₅O^– (Ethoxide)

HBr and CH₃CH₂OH intermolecular forces

In HBr + CH₃CH₂OH, the following intermolecular forces are present.

• CH₃CH₂OH shows dipole-dipole interactions between polar molecules.
• CH₃CH₂OH shows low polarity dispersion forces.
• CH₃CH₂OH consists H-atom thus showing hydrogen bonding.
• HBr molecule poses strong dipole-dipole forces.
• HBr possesses dispersion forces due to the presence of polar molecules H & Br.

HBr + CH₃CH₂OH reaction enthalpy

The reaction enthalpy of the first step of the HBr + CH₃CH₂OH reaction is positive as stable bond-breaking causes energy absorption. But, for the second step, the reaction enthalpy is negative due to release in energy for stable bond formation.

Is HBr + CH₃CH₂OH a buffer solution

HBr + CH₃CH₂OH is not a buffer solution. Although HBr is a strong acid, CH₃CH₂OH is not its conjugate pair. So, this mixture cannot be used to maintain Hydrogen ion concentration. 

Is HBr + CH₃CH₂OH a complete reaction

The reaction between HBr + CH₃CH₂OH is a complete reaction because the product Ethyl bromide is a stable compound.

Is HBr + CH₃CH₂OH an exothermic or endothermic reaction

HBr + CH₃CH₂OH is endothermic in the first step due to the absorption of energy from surroundings and exothermic in the second step due to the release of energy.

Is HBr + CH₃CH₂OH a precipitation reaction

HBr + CH₃CH₂OH is a precipitation reaction. The reaction produces ethyl bromide, which is a water-insoluble compound.

Is HBr + CH₃CH₂OH reversible or irreversible reaction

HBr + CH₃CH₂OH reaction is not completely reversible. Only the first step is reversible, where carbocation formation occurs from CH₃CH₂OH.  

Is HBr + CH₃CH₂OH displacement reaction

HBr + CH₃CH₂OH is not a displacement reaction because Br or OH is not inter- changing their position during product formation.

Conclusion                

CH₃CH₂OH and HBr both have wide applications for industrial purposes. CH₃CH₂OH is a colorless liquid readily used as engine fuel, for household heating purposes.