Final answer:
Diethyl ether can be prepared by dehydrating ethanol using concentrated sulfuric acid as a catalyst at 140 °C. It is a colorless, highly flammable liquid used as a solvent for various substances.
Step-by-step explanation:
Diethyl ether can be prepared by the dehydration of ethanol using concentrated sulfuric acid as a catalyst. When two molecules of ethanol are heated to 140 °C under the presence of sulfuric acid, a molecule of water is eliminated, resulting in the formation of diethyl ether and water.
For example, when two molecules of ethanol are dehydrated under concentrated sulfuric acid at 140 degrees Celsius, excess ethanol is used to give diethyl ether as the product along with a water molecule.
Diethyl ether is a colorless, highly flammable liquid that was first used as an anesthetic in 1846. It is commonly used as a solvent for gums, fats, waxes, and resins in various industries.