Question

Ethyl alcohol is dehydrated by sulphuric acid at a temperature of about ${170}^{\circ }C$ and give :

• A. $C_2{H}_6$
• B. $C_2{H}_2$
• C. $C_2{H}_{5}OH$
• D. $C_2{H}_4$

Answer 1

The correct option is D $C_2{H}_4$

Reaction:

$C_2{H}_{5}OH\underset{-H_{2}O}{\overset{H_{2}S{O}_4}{\to }}{C}_2{H}_4$

During the dehydration of ethyl alcohol in presence of sulphuric acid, the alcohol group from one carbon and hydrogen group from other carbon is eliminated and the double bond is formed between the carbons forming an alkene.