Question

which is the major product fomed when a mixture of ch3ch2oh and concentrated h2so4 is heated strongly?

Answer 1

There are TWO reactions possible depending on the sequence:

If you add ethanol dropwise to sulfuric acid an elimination reaction will take place:

C2H5OH + H(+) → C2H4 + H2O + H(+)

If you add sulfuric acid dropwise to pure ethanol you will get diethyl ether. That’s a substitution reaction:

2 C2H5OH + H(+) → H3C-CH2-O-CH2-CH3 + H2O + H(+)

Hope that helps :)