1.

How is diethyl ether prepared by continuous therfification process? Why is the process so called?

Answer»

Solution :Etherification is a reactioin in which is simple either `(R-O-R)` is formed from an alcholol on distilling it with concentrated `H_(2)SO_(4)` by intermolecular dehydration reaction.
`2R-O-H underset(Delta)overset(conc. H_(2)SO_(4))(to)R-O-R+H_(2)O`
When an EXCESS of ethyl alcohol is distilled with concentrated `H_(2)SO_(4)` at `413K` DIETHYL ether is formed.
`underset("ethyl alcohol")(2C_(2)H_(5)OH)underset(413K)overset(conc. H_(2)SO_(4))(to) underset("diethyl ether")(C_(2)H_(5)-O-)C_(2)H_(5)+H_(2)O`
This reaction takes place in two STEPS:
Step 1: Ethyl alcohol reacts with concentrated `H_(2)SO_(4)` and forms ethyl hydrogen sulphate.
`underset("ethyl alcohol")(C_(2)H_(5)OH+HO-underset("conc.")(SO_(3)H) overset("room temp")(to) underset("ethyl hydrogen sulphate")(C_(2)H_(5)-O-SO_(3)H+)H_(2)O`
Step 2: Ethyl hydrogen sulphate then reacts WILTH an excess of ethyl alcolol at `413 K` and forms diethyl ether.
`C_(2)H_(5)-O-SO_(3) H+C_(2)H_(5)OHoverset(413K)(to) underset("diethyl ether")C_(2)H_(5)-O-C_(2)H_(5)+H_(2)SO_(4)`
The ether produced is distilled over. The regenerated `H_(2)SO_(4)` is reused in the first step.
Thus a small AMOUNT of `H_(2)SO_(4)` can convert a large amount of alcohol into ether and the process becomes continuous.
Hence the process is called continuous etherification process.


Discussion

No Comment Found