Question

When ethyl alcohol is heated with conc. $H_2SO_4$, the product obtained is :

• A. $CH_3COOC_2H_5$
• B. $C_2H_2$
• C. $C_2H_6$
• D. $C_2H_4$

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

When ethyl alcohol is heated with conc $H_2SO_4$ at $160^{\circ} - 170^{\circ} C$ the product obtained is ethylene $(C_2H_4)$
$CH_3 - CH_2OH + H_2SO_4 \to \underset{\text{ethyl hydrogen sulphate}}{CH_3CH_2HSO_4 +H_2O}$
$CH_3 - CH_2HSO_4 \ce{->[{160 -170^{\circ}C}][{\Delta}]} \underset{\text{ethylene}}{CH_2 = CH_2} + H_2SO_4$
but at lower temperature ether is formed