Question

Identify the acid in each case.

(i) The acid which produces sugar charcoal from sugar

Answer 1

• Concentrated sulphuric acid produces sugar charcoal from sugar $\left(C_{12}{H}_{22}{O}_{11}\right)$.

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

• In this reaction $H_{2}S{O}_4$ has a great affinity for water so it readily removes water from sugar and thus acts as a dehydrating agent.