Name: John Paul M.

Austero Date Prepared: February 21, 2021

Schedule: R032 Date Submitted: February 22, 2021

CHEM 120: Organic Chemistry

Activity 5.2.2:

Properties of Alcohols

In this class, I learned about how alcohol plays a key role in both organic chemistry and

organic functional groups. It can be generated and transformed into any other substances that are

appropriate to each object. It has a range of applications that are still useful up to this day.

Countries around the world must take immediate measures to avoid the spread of the virus in the

face of the COVID-19 pandemic. In these crucial situations, since it is very necessary and an

effective disinfectant that can destroy germs, viruses, and bacteria, it is vital that everyone is

aware of other health threats and hazards so that they can remain safe and healthy by using

alcohols.

Alcohols kill disease-causing agents, or pathogens, by tearing proteins apart, dividing

cells into parts, or interfering with the metabolism of a cell, according to a 2014 study published

in the journal Clinical Microbiology Studies. By means of a basic chemical mechanism known as

denaturation, alcohol destroys germs. Denaturation occurs when alcohol molecules bond with a

virus or bacteria cell containing the fat membrane. The interior of the cell is exposed, with all its

essential components, as the fat membrane is broken down. It begins to dissolve, and the cell

dies swiftly. This mechanism is confirmed by the finding that absolute ethyl alcohol, a
dehydrating agent, is less bactericidal than alcohol and water mixtures since, in the presence of

water, proteins are denatured more rapidly.

Alcohol is commonly labeled mainly as a low-level disinfectant since it has no or

minimal sporicidal operation. In order to remove papers infected with bacteria, early experiments

from 1895 evaluated various alcohol concentrations (25 percent to 99 percent). These early

experiments are largely based on today's rules suggesting the use of 60 percent-90 percent

alcohol for antisepsis and disinfection.

References

∙ Carly Vandergriendt. (2020). Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/does

alcohol-kill-germs

∙ Reynard Health Supplies. Retrieved from

https://reynardhealth.com/using-alcohol-to disinfect-healthcare-
surfaces/