What product will be formed when ethanol at 443K with excess concentrated sulphuric acid is heated?

Question

Question

This question was previously asked in

RRB Technician Grade III Official Paper (Held On: 29 Dec, 2024 Shift 2)

Answer 1

The correct answer is Ethene and water.

Key Points

When ethanol is heated at 443K with excess concentrated sulphuric acid, it undergoes a dehydration reaction.
The dehydration of ethanol results in the formation of ethene (C₂H₄) and water (H₂O).
Concentrated sulphuric acid acts as a dehydrating agent in this reaction.
The chemical equation for this reaction is: C₂H₅OH → C₂H₄ + H₂O.

Additional Information

Dehydration Reaction:
- A type of chemical reaction that involves the loss of water from the reacting molecule.
- In organic chemistry, it is commonly used to convert alcohols to alkenes.
Role of Sulphuric Acid:
- Concentrated sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄) is used as a catalyst and dehydrating agent in the reaction.
- It helps in the removal of a water molecule from ethanol to form ethene.
Ethene (Ethylene):
- A colorless flammable gas with a faint "sweet and musky" odor.
- It is the simplest alkene and an important building block in the petrochemical industry.
Applications of Ethene:
- Ethene is widely used in the production of polymers such as polyethylene.
- It also plays a role in the ripening of fruits and is used as a plant hormone in agriculture.