Question

What happens when ethanol is heated with excess concentrated sulphuric acid at 443 K? Write chemical equation involved. What is the role of concentrated sulphuric acid in this reaction?

Hint:

Conc. H$_2$SO$_4$ at 443 K → Dehydration of ethanol to ethene.

Answer 1

Observation: Ethanol gets dehydrated to form ethene. Reaction: \[ C_2H_5OH \xrightarrow{443\,K,\, conc.\, H_2SO_4} C_2H_4 + H_2O \] Role of Concentrated H$_2$SO$_4$:

• Acts as a dehydrating agent.
• Removes water from ethanol to form ethene.