Absolute Alcohol Definition and Formula

Absolute alcohol is a common name for the chemical compound ethanol. To qualify as absolute, the ethyl alcohol must contain no more than one percent water. In other words, absolute alcohol is liquid alcohol that is at least 99 percent pure alcohol by weight. Ethanol is a colorless liquid with molecular formula C2H5OH. It is the alcohol found in alcoholic beverages. Also Known As: ethanol, ethyl alcohol, pure alcohol, grain alcohol Alternate Spellings: EtOH