Alcohols Phenols and EthersmediumNUMERICAL

To selectively synthesize ethoxyethane (diethyl ether) rather than ethene from ethanol using concentAlcohols Phenols and Ethers Chemistry Question

Question

To selectively synthesize ethoxyethane (diethyl ether) rather than ethene from ethanol using concentrated $H_2SO_4$ via intermolecular dehydration, the reaction mixture must be carefully maintained at a specific temperature. What is this exact ideal temperature in degrees Celsius ($^\circ\text{C}$)?

Answer: 140

💡 Solution & Explanation

The acid-catalyzed dehydration of ethanol is temperature-dependent. At $170^\circ\text{C}$ ($443 \text{ K}$), elimination predominates, yielding ethene. At the lower controlled temperature of $140^\circ\text{C}$ ($413 \text{ K}$), nucleophilic substitution predominates, yielding the ether (ethoxyethane).

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