Question

What conditions must be used to carry out the following reaction?

2CH₃CH₂CH₂-OH → CH₃CH₂-O-CH₂CH₃ + H₂O

a. HCl, room temperature
b. NaOH, 100°C
c. H₂SO₄, 140°C (as previously mentioned)
d. AlCl₃, 200°C

Answer 1

The reaction requires sulfuric acid at 140°C to dehydrate two alcohol molecules into an ether, so the correct choice is c. H₂SO₄, 140°C.

Step-by-step explanation:

The conditions required to carry out the reaction 2CH₃CH₂CH₂-OH → CH₃CH₂-O-CH₂CH₃ + H₂O involve removing a molecule of water to form an ether from two alcohol molecules.

This process is known as dehydration synthesis. Of the options provided, the correct condition to catalyze this reaction is with sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) at 140°C.

Sulfuric acid is a common dehydrating agent used to catalyze the formation of ethers from alcohols.

Therefore, the correct choice is c. H₂SO₄, 140°C.