"Ethyl Alcohol (Spirit of Wine)
(from "H2O famous formula of the substance
most abundant in the world")
Simple is its formula:
C2H5 (ethyl),
to which attaches — logically —
the usual hydroxyl.
It's obtained in industry
from the fermentation
of simple glucose,
which decomposes
under the catalytic
action of ferments,
enzymes, which form
from living cells.
Enzymes are many;
they vary according to cases;
the one that forms alcohol
is called zymase.
Carbon dioxide,
in the course of the process,
is released from glucose,
together with the alcohol itself:
it's therefore not to be excluded
that in his cellars
some inexpert oenologist
might meet his end.
Since an aqueous solution
of alcohol is obtained,
it's then purified
through distillation;
one can thus reach
a concentrated alcohol,
not however completely pure:
it's accompanied by water.
To have anhydrous alcohol,
called absolute,
redistillation is necessary
of what was just obtained,
putting it in contact
with calcium oxide:
afterward, metallic calcium
dehydrates it completely.
Of quite pleasant odor,
without coloration,
it mixes with water
in every proportion:
indeed, if on this matter
you were somewhat doubtful,
you could make sure
by asking an innkeeper.
If used as fuel, it's contaminated
with certain foreign substances,
like pyridine,
to make it undrinkable;
but some wretch
even gulps down this alcohol,
thus denatured.
If pure, it's quite poisonous,
but being a little careful
and diluting it somewhat,
it resurrects even the dead,
hence the Bacchic liquor,
from the most remote times,
has always had innumerable
legions of devotees.
Di...vine ethyl alcohol,
magnificent demon,
matter in which hydrogen,
oxygen and carbon
are not arid symbols,
but with wise play
have become... spirit,
light, fragrance, fire,
you who beautify for men
the inconclusive life,
who arouse ardent dreams
and with exquisite goodness
equal the poor to the rich
and the ignorant to the learned,
you, you are of organic chemistry
the principal product!"
Created by d'Araprì