Question

Write the balanced equations to convert:
(a) ethanol to ethene.
(b) ethene to ethanol.

Answer 1

(a) Ethanol to ethene: $\underset{\mathrm{Ethanol}}{{\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{OH}}\underset{170°\mathrm{C}}{\overset{\mathrm{conc}.{\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4}{\to }}\underset{\mathrm{Ethene}}{{\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_4}+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}$

(b) Ethene to ethanol: $\underset{\mathrm{Ethene}}{{\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_4}+{\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\stackrel{{\mathrm{H}}^{+}}{\to }\underset{\mathrm{Ethanol}}{{\mathrm{C}}_2{\mathrm{H}}_5\mathrm{OH}}$