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Question:

Write the name and the structural formula of the compound formed when ethanol is heated at 443 K with excess of conc.H2SO4. State the role of conc.H2SO4 in the reaction. Write chemical equation for the reaction.

Solution:

When ethanol is heated at 443K with excess of conc.H2SO4, ethene (CH2=CH2) is formed. This is a dehydration reaction where H2SO4 acts as a dehydrating agent by removing water and forming ethene. CH3CH2OH conc. H2SO4 → Δ, 443K CH2=CH2 + H2O