Which reagent can be used to convert ethanol to diethyl ether?
A
Al2O3 at 2500C
No worries! We‘ve got your back. Try BYJU‘S free classes today!
B
conc. H2SO4 at 1700C
No worries! We‘ve got your back. Try BYJU‘S free classes today!
C
conc. H2SO4 at 1300−1400C
Right on! Give the BNAT exam to get a 100% scholarship for BYJUS courses
D
Al2O3 at 3500C
No worries! We‘ve got your back. Try BYJU‘S free classes today!
Open in App
Solution
The correct option is B conc. H2SO4 at 1300−1400C
In this case, the ethanol is treated by concentrated sulphuric acid (H2SO4) to form diethyl ether. The acid in an aqueous medium produces hydronium H3O+ ion.
H+ protonate the oxygen atom of ethanol and the ethanol molecule gets a positively charged oxygen. After that, the oxygen atom of unprotonated ethanol abstracts a H2O molecule from ethanol and produces diethyl ether.