Q.22 The degree of reduction of ethanol is _______
✅ Crrect Answer: 6
The degree of reduction of ethanol (C₂H₅OH or C₂H₆O) is 6 per carbon atom using standard valence electrons in biochemical engineering.
What is Degree of Reduction?
Degree of reduction (γ) measures the electron balance in a compound relative to its elements, vital in bioprocess engineering for fermentation yields and redox balances.
For organic compounds, assign valences: C=4, H=1, O=-2.
where c, h, o are atoms of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen
This per-carbon value helps compare substrates like glucose (γ=4) or methane (γ=8) in microbial growth kinetics.
Ethanol Calculation Step-by-Step
Ethanol formula: C₂H₆O (2C, 6H, 1O)
Per carbon: γ = 12 / 2 = 6
Note: Some contexts report total γ=12 for the molecule, but bioprocess exams standardize per-carbon γ=6 for ethanol.
MCQ Options Explained
Common question options: (a) 9, (b) 6, (c) 3, (d) 2. Correct: (b) 6
| Option | Value | Why Incorrect/Correct? |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | 9 | Too high. Matches errors like ignoring oxygen fully; e.g., 4(2)+1(6)=14, wrongly divided. |
| (b) | 6 | Correct. Matches exact formula: (8+6-2)/2=6, standard for ethanol in biotech. |
| (c) | 3 | Too low. Half of correct; possible if total electrons divided by 4 carbons mistakenly. |
| (d) | 2 | Far too low. Fits CO₂ (γ=0) or oxidized forms; irrelevant for reduced alcohol. |
Bioprocess Applications
In fermentation, ethanol’s γ=6 indicates high reducing power, ideal for anaerobic yields from glucose (γ=4).
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