Ethyl alcohol, also known as ethanol, is the most well-known alcohol. It’s the type of alcohol people consume in alcoholic beverages. The chemical structure of ethanol is C 2 H 5 OH.

Ethyl Alcohol. Alcohol is a compound of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. It is an organic compound with a hydroxyl (OH) group bound to a carbon atom of an alkyl or substituted alkyl group.

If you’re wondering whether alcohol — like ethanol or isopropanol — has the ability to kill germs on your skin and on surfaces in your home, the short answer is yes, it potentially can.