Question

why anhydrous calcium chloride cannot be used for drying ethanol?

Answer 1

The anhydrous calcium chloride reacts with alcohols such as methanol and ethanol to form alcoholates. The calcium chloride will react with the ethanol to form CaCl2.2C2H5OH hence it is not to be used

Answer 2

Ethanol can react actively with metal salts. Anhydrous calcium chloride reacts with ethanol to form the respective alcoholates of calcium.  

Explanation:

• An ideal drying agent is such that it does not react with the ‘substance to be dried’.

• Hence the original substance is changed and calcium chloride cannot be used as a drying agent although it is a ‘very good drying agent’ for inorganic molecules.  

• Alcohols are usually dehydrated using distillation methods.

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