Which organic gas is produced when ethanol (C_2H_5OH) is heated with excess concentrated t… — JAMB UTME

Which organic gas is produced when ethanol ( $C_2H_5OH$ ) is heated with excess concentrated tetraoxosulfate(VI) acid ( $H_2SO_4$ ) at $170^\circ\text{C}$ ?

Ethene ( $C_2H_4$ )Answer
B
Ethane ( $C_2H_6$ )
C
Ethyne ( $C_2H_2$ )
D
Ethoxyethane ( $(C_2H_5)_2O$ )

Answer

Ethene (

C_2H_4

)

When ethanol is heated with excess concentrated tetraoxosulfate(VI) acid at a high temperature (

170^\circ\text{C}

), the acid acts as a dehydrating agent, removing a molecule of water from ethanol to form ethene (

C_2H_4

Step-by-Step Solution

Identify the functional group and reagent conditions given in the reaction stem.

Ethanol (

C_2H_5OH

) is reacted with excess concentrated

H_2SO_4

170^\circ\text{C}

Concentrated tetraoxosulfate(VI) acid acts as a powerful dehydrating agent at high temperatures.

Determine the type of dehydration taking place under these specific temperature conditions.

Intramolecular dehydration occurs, removing one water molecule (

H_2O

) from a single ethanol molecule.

170^\circ\text{C}

with excess acid, the removal of

-OH

and a neighboring

-H

atom creates a carbon-carbon double bond.

Write the balanced chemical equation to confirm the product formula.

C_2H_5OH \xrightarrow{\text{conc. } H_2SO_4, 170^\circ\text{C}} C_2H_4 + H_2O

The organic gas evolved is ethene (

C_2H_4

), an alkene.

Key Concept

Laboratory preparation of alkenes via dehydration of alkanols

Estimated Time:45s

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