Question

Give the equation for :

The reaction of sugar with conc. sulphuric acid

Answer 1

• $H_{2}S{O}_4$ has a great affinity for water. It readily removes element of water from other compounds, and thus acts as a dehydrating agent.

• When sugar $\left(C_{12}{H}_{22}{O}_{11}\right)$ reacts with conc. sulphuric acid it gives a black spongy mass of carbon due to loss of water.

$C_{12}{H}_{22}{O}_{11}\stackrel{\text{conc.}{H}_{2}S{O}_4}{\to }12C+11H_{2}O$