Numford
Organic conversion

Ethanol to ethoxyethane

1 step: elimination

Class 12, Chapter 7 Alcohols, Phenols and Ethers

  1. OH
    EthanolCH₃CH₂OHAlcohol
  2. Step 1

    conc. H₂SO₄ (excess ethanol)

    413 K

    i

    Dehydration at 413 K gives the ether; at 443 K the same reagents give ethene.

    O
    EthoxyethaneCH₃CH₂OCH₂CH₃Ether

Exam answer

  1. Step 1: Ethanol to ethoxyethane: conc. H₂SO₄ (excess ethanol), 413 K.
Alternative routes (3)
  • Ethanol → Bromoethane → Ethoxyethane
    1. Ethanol to bromoethane: red P + Br₂ (PBr₃).
    2. Bromoethane to ethoxyethane: CH₃CH₂ONa (sodium ethoxide).
  • Ethanol → Ethene → Bromoethane → Ethoxyethane
    1. Ethanol to ethene: conc. H₂SO₄, 443 K.
    2. Ethene to bromoethane: HBr.
    3. Bromoethane to ethoxyethane: CH₃CH₂ONa (sodium ethoxide).
  • Ethanol → Chloroethane → Ethene → Bromoethane → Ethoxyethane
    1. Ethanol to chloroethane: SOCl₂.
    2. Chloroethane to ethene: alc. KOH, heat.
    3. Ethene to bromoethane: HBr.
    4. Bromoethane to ethoxyethane: CH₃CH₂ONa (sodium ethoxide).
Why these reagents

Reagent and reason, step by step

  • Step 1: Ethanol to ethoxyethane: conc. H₂SO₄ (excess ethanol), 413 K Dehydration at 413 K gives the ether; at 443 K the same reagents give ethene.
Questions

Ethanol to ethoxyethane: quick answers

How many steps does it take to convert ethanol to ethoxyethane?

1 step: Ethanol, then ethoxyethane.

Which named reaction is used to convert ethanol to ethoxyethane?

None of the steps has a name. They are elimination, so write the reagent and the condition for each step.

What is the reagent for step 1 of ethanol to ethoxyethane?

Ethanol to ethoxyethane: conc. H₂SO₄ (excess ethanol), 413 K. Dehydration at 413 K gives the ether; at 443 K the same reagents give ethene.

Plan your own conversion