How is diethyl ether formed when ethyl alcohol is heated in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid?

What is the process of forming diethyl ether from ethyl alcohol and concentrated sulfuric acid?

How does concentrated sulfuric acid play a role in the formation of diethyl ether?

The process of forming diethyl ether from ethyl alcohol and concentrated sulfuric acid involves:

When ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, is heated in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid, it undergoes a process known as etherification to form an ether. In this case, it forms diethyl ether.

When ethyl alcohol, or ethanol, is heated in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid, it undergoes a process known as etherification to form an ether. In this case, it forms diethyl ether. This process involves the elimination of a water molecule from two ethanol molecules, resulting in a volatile and flammable compound represented by the formula CH3-CH2-O-CH2-CH3.

Concentrated sulfuric acid plays a crucial role in this process by acting as a catalyst. It aids in the dehydration of the ethanol molecules, facilitating the elimination of water and the formation of the ether.

Diethyl ether, represented by the formula CH3-CH2-O-CH2-CH3, is highly volatile and flammable. It was first used as an anesthetic in 1846, though it has been largely replaced by safer and more efficient anesthetics.