Question

Write a chemical reaction to show dehydration of ethanol

Answer 1

Ethanol can be dehydrated to give ethene by heating it with an excess of concentrated sulphuric acid at about 170°C.

Concentrated phosphoric(V) acid, H3PO4, can be used instead.

The acids aren't written into the equation because they serve as catalysts. If you like, you could write, for example, "conc H2SO4" over the top of the arrow.

Answer 2

Ethanol can be dehydrated to give ethene by heating it with an excess of concentrated sulphuric acid at about 170°C.

Concentrated phosphoric(V) acid, H3PO4, can be used instead.