Dehydration of Ethanol

C2H5OH → C2H4 + H2O

Übersicht

Ethanol is dehydrated to ethylene by concentrated sulfuric acid at 170 C or by passing over heated alumina. This elimination reaction removes water from adjacent carbon atoms to form the C=C double bond. At lower temperatures (140 C), diethyl ether forms instead via intermolecular dehydration.

Teilnehmer

Rolle Substanz Koeffizient Zustand
Reaktant Ethanol C₂H₅OH 1 (l)
Produkt Ethylene C₂H₄ 1 (g)
Produkt Water H₂O 1 (l)

Alltägliches Beispiel

Brazil produces bio-ethylene from sugarcane ethanol using this dehydration, making green polyethylene for sustainable packaging.

Industrielle Bedeutung

Ethanol dehydration to ethylene is the basis of Brazil's bio-plastics industry, producing renewable polyethylene from sugarcane ethanol.

Eigenschaften

Typ
Organic
Reversibel
Ja
Energie
Endotherm
ΔH
44,0 kJ/mol
Katalysator
Concentrated H₂SO₄ or Al₂O₃

Verwandte Reaktionen

Swern Oxidation Oxidation of Secondary Alcohol to Ketone Claisen Condensation (Ethyl Acetate) Kolbe Electrolysis Baeyer-Villiger Oxidation Beckmann Rearrangement (Cyclohexanone Oxime) Catalytic Hydrogenation of Ethylene Condensation Polymerization (Nylon 6,6) Cope Rearrangement Epoxidation of Alkenes (mCPBA)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the equation for Dehydration of Ethanol?
The balanced equation is: C₂H₅OH → C₂H₄ + H₂O.
What type of reaction is Dehydration of Ethanol?
Dehydration of Ethanol is a organic reaction. It is reversible under certain conditions.
Is Dehydration of Ethanol exothermic or endothermic?
Dehydration of Ethanol is endothermic (absorbs energy). The enthalpy change (ΔH) is 44.0 kJ/mol.
What conditions are needed for Dehydration of Ethanol?
This reaction requires a catalyst (Concentrated H₂SO₄ or Al₂O₃).