27. NCERT Exemplar XIV

  

 

When ethanol is heated with excess concentrated hydrochloric acidnitric acidfumaric acidsulphuric acid (at 443 K), it produces ethene. The following equation can show this.

 

\(CH_3CH_2OH + hot conc. H_2SO_4 \xrightarrow[]{at- 443K} H_2C = CH_2 + H_2O\)

 

Concentrated phosphoric acid, \(H_3PO_4\), can be used instead of concentrated sulphuric acid.

 

OxidationDehydrationHydrolysisReductionsHydroxylation of ethanol takes place in this reaction.

 

 

If methanol is taken in huge quantities, it converts into methanalmenthalmethanolmenthol or formaldehyde. This substance coagulates the cells of the body and blocks the spinal nervebrain nerveoptic nervecentral nerve, thus causing blindness. It is toxic and cancer-causing too. It is naturally present in small quantities in fruits and the human body.