Final answer:
The dehydration of alcohols can lead to the formation of alkenes or ethers depending on the conditions used. Higher temperature and excess acid are needed for alkenes, while lower temperature and excess alcohol are required for ethers. Dehydration reactions are often catalyzed by acids or dehydrating agents like sulfuric acid.
Step-by-step explanation:
Under the proper conditions, the dehydration of alcohols can result in the formation of either alkenes or ethers. When two alcohol molecules undergo dehydration, the OH group of one molecule and a hydrogen atom from the OH group of the second molecule are removed. This results in the formation of an ether molecule, where two ethyl groups are attached to an oxygen atom.
For the dehydration of alcohols, different conditions are required depending on the desired product. Higher temperature and excess acid are needed to form alkenes, while lower temperature and excess alcohol are needed to form ethers.
Dehydration reactions are typically catalyzed by acids or can be carried out using dehydrating agents like sulfuric acid.