Question:

Write the mechanism of acid dehydration of ethanol to yield ethene.

Updated On: Jan 21, 2024
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Solution and Explanation

The mechanism of acid dehydration of ethanol to yield ethene involves the following three steps:
Step 1:Protonation of ethanol to form ethyl oxonium ion:
Step 2:Formation of carbocation (rate determining step):
Step 3:Elimination of a proton to form ethene:
The acid consumed in step 1 is released in Step 3.After the formation of ethene,it is removed to shift the equilibrium in a forward direction.

acid dehydration of ethanol to yield ethene

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Notes on Alcohols, Phenols And Ethers

Concepts Used:

Classification - Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers

Alcohols, phenols, and ethers are organic compounds that can be classified based on their molecular structure and functional groups.

Classification of Alcohols:

  • Alcohols can be classified as primary, secondary, or tertiary, based on the number of alkyl groups attached to the carbon atom bearing the hydroxyl group.
  • Primary alcohols have one alkyl group attached to the carbon, secondary alcohols have two, and tertiary alcohols have three.

Classification of Phenols:

  • Phenols can be classified based on the number and position of the hydroxyl groups attached to the aromatic ring.
  • Monohydroxy phenols have one hydroxyl group, while dihydroxy phenols have two.
  • Polyhydroxy phenols have more than two hydroxyl groups.
  • Resorcinol and catechol are examples of dihydroxy phenols, while tannins are examples of polyhydroxy phenols.

Classification of Ethers:

  • Ethers can be classified based on the nature of the alkyl or aryl groups attached to the oxygen atom.
  • Simple ethers have two alkyl or aryl groups, while mixed ethers have one alkyl and one aryl group.
  • Crown ethers are cyclic ethers that contain multiple ether groups and are used as complexing agents.

In summary, alcohols, phenols, and ethers can be classified based on their molecular structure and functional groups. Understanding the classification of these compounds is important for predicting their reactivity and understanding their potential applications in various fields, including chemistry, biology, and industry.