what is the difference between ethanol and ethanoic acid?
Ethanol has an ethyl group while ethanoic acid has a methyl group. Ethanoic acid is a carboxylic acid; this is not the case for ethanol. Ethanol has a hydroxyl group while ethanoic acid has a carboxyl group. ... Ethanol is used to make alcoholic beverages while ethanoic acid is used to make vinegar.