The article describes the types, properties and efficiency of reagents (CaO, tetraethoxytitanium), which chemically bind water and dehydrate ethanol. The composition and properties of the absolutized ethanol were studied using the infrared spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy and gas-liquid chromatography. The octane number of gasoline with the addition of absolutized ethanol together with the combustion activator (diethyl ether) was measured as well. It has been shown that the content of even very small amounts (up to 2 %) of the combustion activator in absolutized ethanol results in the increase of the octane number and improves running abilities of gasoline.