Dehydration of ethanol with concentrated sulphuric acid at about 170 degrees Celsius gives

Correct answer: D. ethene

  • A. ethane
  • B. ethanoic acid
  • C. ethoxyethane
  • D. ethene

Explanation

At the higher temperature water is eliminated from one molecule to give the alkene, while at about 140 degrees two molecules condense instead and the product is the ether ethoxyethane. Aluminium oxide at 400 degrees achieves the same dehydration catalytically. Controlling temperature to select between two products is a recurring theme in this topic.

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About Alcohols

Alcohols contain a hydroxyl group attached to a saturated carbon atom and are classified as primary, secondary or tertiary. Their nomenclature, hydrogen bonding, acidity, oxidation, dehydration, reaction with sodium and conversion to haloalkanes are covered, along with the distinction between alcohols and phenols, where the hydroxyl group is attached directly to an aromatic ring.

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