Dehydration of alcohols
Dehydration of alcohols
Formula
CₙH₂ₙ₊₁OH → CₙH₂ₙ + H₂O
Real World
Bioethanol produced from sugar cane in Brazil is dehydrated industrially over heated alumina catalysts to make ethene, which is then polymerised into polyethene packaging.
Exam Focus
If asked for conditions, state 'concentrated sulfuric acid' and 'heat'; don't confuse with elimination using alcoholic NaOH.
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