Question detail
Explain the process of elimination of water from ethanol to form ethene. Include the conditions required for this reaction.
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
Question
Type
exam_style
Style
Topic
Alcohols
Question
Explain the process of elimination of water from ethanol to form ethene. Include the conditions required for this reaction.
Answer
The elimination of water from ethanol to form ethene involves heating ethanol with a strong acid catalyst, such as sulfuric acid. The reaction can be represented as follows: C2H5OH → C2H4 + H2O. The strong acid protonates the hydroxyl group, making it a better leaving group, which then leads to the formation of ethene and water.
Explanation
This answer is strong because it clearly outlines the chemical equation and the role of the acid catalyst in the elimination process. It tests the student's understanding of the elimination reaction mechanism and the conditions required for the reaction to occur.
Common mistake
Water Elimination Confusion
Students often confuse the elimination of water from alcohols with the addition of water to form alcohols, leading to incorrect equations.
To correctly explain the elimination of water from alcohols to form alkenes, use the formula for dehydration: CnH2n+1OH → CnH2n + H2O. Substitute the specific alcohol structure into the equation, show the removal of water, and conclude that an alkene is formed.
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