hi, I will dehydrate alcohol with h2so4 for the synthesis of alkene.
however, I have no idea what kind of solvent I can use.
H2O solvent looks adaptable for solving alchol and h2so4, but I think alkene(product) will not dissolve in H2O.
Also, when I use EtOH, I think it will react with h2so4.
Is it ok to use H2O even though product doesn't dissolve?
Thank you for later reply for all.
Dear Lee,
thanks for asking this interesting technical question. Normally you don't need any additional solvent when you do a dehydration of an alcohol with concentrated H2SO4. The sulfuric acid acts as a catalyst. Especially the use of water as solvent doesn't make much sense because you want to eliminate water from the alcohol. The product will be an olefin, which could be a gas (ethylene) or a liquid which can be isolated by distillation.
For more information about this reaction please watch e.g. the following useful tutorial video:
Alcohol Dehydration Reaction Mechanism With H2SO4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnviDtnyyug
Good luck with your work!
Dear Lee Jieun, I support Prof. Frank T. Edelmann in his answer by the following free access documents. My Regards
About drying ethanol; at RG:
https://www.researchgate.net/post/What-is-the-most-appropriate-method-to-dry-ethanol
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