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Ethanol is dehydrated with concentrated $\mathrm{H_2SO_4}$ at $443$ K (170 °C). What is the major product?
ADiethyl ether
BAcetaldehyde
CEthene
DMethanol
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. Ethene
**Temperature determines the product.** At ~170 °C with concentrated H₂SO₄, intramolecular dehydration (E1) of ethanol gives **ethene** plus water — the classic preparation of ethene from ethanol.
At lower temperatures (≈ 140 °C, less acid) the reaction takes the *intermolecular* path: two ethanol molecules condense via loss of water to give **diethyl ether** instead. Option B is therefore the answer for a *different* temperature regime — a common JEE trap.
Mechanism (E1, three steps): (i) protonation of the –OH, (ii) loss of H₂O to give a carbocation, (iii) loss of a β-proton to give the alkene.
Related questions
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