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Catalysts in dehydration/hydration (1 Viewer)

Red-Ink-Frenzy

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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

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^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.
 

xiao1985

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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

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xiao1985 said:
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

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brenton1987 said:
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

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xiao1985 said:
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.
 

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