Question

Ethyl alcohol on reaction with $ H_2SO_4 $ at 413 K gives:

• A. Ethene
• B. Propane
• C. Acetylene
• D. Methane

Hint:

Dehydration reactions of alcohols with sulfuric acid lead to the formation of alkenes, where the hydroxyl group is replaced by a hydrogen atom.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

When ethyl alcohol (\( \text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{OH} \)) reacts with sulfuric acid (\( H_2SO_4 \)) at a high temperature (413 K), it undergoes a dehydration reaction. In this reaction, water is removed from the alcohol, leading to the formation of an alkene. The reaction proceeds as: \[ \text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{OH} \xrightarrow{H_2SO_4, 413K} \text{C}_2\text{H}_4 + \text{H}_2\text{O} \] This process yields ethene (ethylene), a colorless gas that is commonly used in the production of plastics.
Thus, the correct product is ethene, making the answer \( \text{Ethene} \).