Catalysts in dehydration/hydration (1 Viewer)

[Red-Ink-Frenzy]

The syllabus dot point says "describe the dehydration of ethanol to ethylene and identify the need for a catalyst in this process and the catalyst used"

I know that the catalyst used may be either concentrated sulfuric or phosphoric acid, but I don't know why it's used.

Is it just to lower the reactions activation energy?

If someone could please help me out, that would be fantastic!!

 

[xiao1985]

^correct, lowering the activation energy.

more profound reason (iirc) was that the addition of H+ ions facilitate the leaving of OH group by protonating it.

 

[Red-Ink-Frenzy]

Thanks heaps!

 

[brenton1987]

 

[xiao1985]

wow nice explanation.

though I would think unprotonated water would have a higher tendency to pick up the proton in step2.

are you doing a chemistry major by any chance brenton? you seem very knowledgable, especially in the field of organic chemistry.

 

[brenton1987]

are you doing a chemistry major by any chance brenton? you seem very knowledgable, especially in the field of organic chemistry.

Im doing a double chemistry major as well as a single biology major.

 

[xiao1985]

Im doing a double chemistry major as well as a single biology major.

in uncle?

sigh, it would be so much nicer if you were in uysd =/
I'm really impressed (and envious) of the knowledge you have displayed thus far.

GJ

 

[brenton1987]

in uncle?

sigh, it would be so much nicer if you were in uysd =/
I'm really impressed (and envious) of the knowledge you have displayed thus far.

Yeah I'm at Newcastle because it's the most convenient. I'll definately move for post-grad.
I learn alot by myself because I'm really interested in chemistry and it's what I really want to do.