In conversion from ethanol to ethene, concentrated sulphuric acid is used as:

a)
Precipitating agent

b)
Oxidizing agent

c)
Dehydrating agent

d)
Reducing agent

Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Question

In conversion from ethanol to ethene, concentrated sulphuric acid is used as:

a)
Precipitating agent
b)
Oxidizing agent
c)
Dehydrating agent
d)
Reducing agent

Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Answer

Sulphuric acid is used as a dehydrating agent because sulphuric acid has a great affinity for water. It readily removes elements of water from other compounds i.e, it acts as a dehydrating agent, it being a hygroscopic substance absorbs water from other substances without dissolving in it, so it is considered a good drying agent.

Answer

It is used as dehydrating agent bcoz ethene contains less hydrogen in comparison to ethanol so for having ethene we have to dehydrate ethanol

Answer

Dehydrating Agent

In the conversion from ethanol to ethene, concentrated sulphuric acid is used as a dehydrating agent. A dehydrating agent is a substance that removes water molecules from a compound, resulting in the formation of a new compound.

Reaction

The reaction between ethanol and concentrated sulphuric acid involves the removal of a water molecule (dehydration) to form ethene.

CH₃CH₂OH + H₂SO₄ → CH₂=CH₂ + H₂O

Explanation

Concentrated sulphuric acid is a strong and highly reactive acid. It has a strong affinity for water and acts as a dehydrating agent by abstracting a water molecule from the ethanol molecule. The reaction occurs in two steps:

Protonation of ethanol: The concentrated sulphuric acid donates a proton (H⁺) to the oxygen atom in the hydroxyl group of ethanol, forming an ethyl oxonium ion.

CH₃CH₂OH + H₂SO₄ → CH₃CH₂OH₂⁺ + HSO₄⁻

Dehydration: The ethyl oxonium ion loses a water molecule, resulting in the formation of ethene.

CH₃CH₂OH₂⁺ → CH₂=CH₂ + H₂O

Overall, the concentrated sulphuric acid acts as a dehydrating agent by removing a water molecule from ethanol, leading to the formation of ethene.

Importance

The conversion of ethanol to ethene is an important reaction in the petrochemical industry as ethene is a valuable raw material for the production of various chemicals and plastics. The use of concentrated sulphuric acid as a dehydrating agent allows for the efficient and selective production of ethene from ethanol.

Answer

Sulphuric acid is used as a dehydrating agent because sulphuric acid has a great affinity for water. It readily removes elements of water from other compounds i.e, it acts as a dehydrating agent, it being a hygroscopic substance absorbs water from other substances without dissolving in it, so it is considered a good drying agent.

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