Question

explain by writing a reaction which product will be formed on heating n butyl alcohol with concentrated sulphuric acid

Answer 1

The reaction of n Butyl alcohol with concentrated sulphuric acid:

• When Butyl alcohol is treated with concentrated Sulphuric acid, it undergoes dehydration process.
• On dehydration, we get the Alkenes of respective alcohol.
• So, when treated with concentrated acid, it undergoes uni-molecular elimination or E2 mechanism (in secondary or tertiary alkyl groups).
• the reaction temperature must be around 170 Celsius to 150 Celsius.
• If the solution is not adequately heats, rather than alkenes, we will get ethers.
• The hydroxyl oxygen gives 2 electron to the proton from the sulphuric acid and alkyloxonium ion is formed.
• the conjugate base $HSO_{4}^-$ reacts with one of the nect to hydrogen atom forming a double bond.