A chemical reaction is the simplest representation of a chemical reaction. Let us discuss about the reaction of H2SO4 and CH3CH2OH
Sulphuric acid or H2SO4 is also called oil of vitriol comprises sulphur, oxygen and hydrogen. It’s is a odourless, colorless viscous liquid. Ethanol is a colorless liquid substance which is flammable. It has a pungent taste and specific odour. Both are found to be soluble in water.
Ethanol is prepared through fermentation and sulphuric acid through contact process. Let us discuss about H2SO4 + CH3CH2OH with all details.
What is the product of H2SO4 and CH3CH2OH
H2SO4 reacts with C2H5OH to form ethyl sulphate and water. This reaction takes place below temperature 1400 C and is exothermic.
H2SO4 + CH3CH2OH —–> CH3CH2OSO3H + H2O
What type of reaction is H2SO4 + CH3CH2OH
The chemical reaction between H2SO4 and CH3CH2OH is a double displacement reaction.
How to balance H2SO4 + CH3CH2OH
Balancing a chemical reaction is very important and it gives an idea about the number of molecules reacted. Following is the reaction balancing steps.
- Assigning certain coefficients to both reactants and products
- a H2SO4 + b CH3CH2OH —–> c CH3CH2OSO3H + d H2O
- Making a linear equation. An equation is made with the above equation
- H= 2a= 6b =6c= 2d, S =a =c, O =4a= b, C =2b =2c
- 2a +6b= 6c+ 2d, a=c, 4b= c
- Solve the above equation using gauss elimination method
- a =1, b= 1, c= 1, d= 1
- The balanced equation of H2SO4 + CH3CH2OH is H2SO4 + CH3CH2OH —–> CH3CH2OSO3H + H2O
H2SO4 + CH3CH2OH titration
H2SO4 + CH3CH2OH titration is cannot be performed. Because there is no specific indicator and color change is observed while this reaction takes place.
H2SO4 + CH3CH2OH net ionic equation
The net ionic equation of H2SO4 + CH3CH2OH
H+ + HSO4 – + CH3CH2OH——> H2O + CH3CH2OSO3H
H2SO4 + CH3CH2OH intermolecular forces
The reaction between H2SO4 and CH3CH2OH has intermolecular forces are,
- In H2SO4 there is ionic force of attraction can be seen in between H+ ion and SO42- .
- In ethanol strong hydrogen bonds and covalent bonds exist in between hydrogen, oxygen and carbon atoms.
H2SO4 + CH3CH2OH reaction enthalpy
The reaction enthalpy of H2SO4 + CH3CH2OH is found to be negative. The enthalpy of formation of H2SO4, CH3CH2OH and H2O is -814, -275 and -249 respectively. The reaction involves the releasing of heat.
Is H2SO4 + CH3CH2OH a buffer solution
H2SO4 + CH3CH2OH is not a buffer solution as H2SO4 a strong acid.
Is H2SO4 + CH3CH2OH a complete reaction
H2SO4 + CH3CH2OH is a complete reaction with stable products.
Is H2SO4 + CH3CH2OH an exothermic or endothermic reaction
H2SO4 + CH3CH2OH is an exothermic reaction as heat energy is released.
Is H2SO4 + CH3CH2OH a redox reaction
H2SO4 + CH3CH2OH is a redox reaction. Both oxidation and reduction takes place here. In this reaction sulphur is reduced from +6 to -2 state and carbon is getting oxidised from -3 to +4 oxidation state.
Is H2SO4 + CH3CH2OH a precipitation reaction
H2SO4 + CH3CH2OH reaction doesn’t yield any precipitate. Ethyl sulphate the product formed as a result of this reaction is not a precipitate.
Is H2SO4 + CH3CH2OH reversible or irreversible reaction
H2SO4 + CH3CH2OH is an irreversible reaction. This reaction takes place at high temperature and even when the temperature raised it will lead to another products and can’t be get back.
Is H2SO4 + CH3CH2OH a displacement reaction
H2SO4 + CH3CH2OH is a displacement reaction because here the ions of both the reactants are replaced to get the products.
Conclusion
In this article H2SO4 and CH3CH2OH reacts under certain temperature to get the product named ethyl sulphate and water. This is a double displacement reaction which is exothermic in nature. This reaction can be also called as metathesis.
Read more facts on H2SO4:
Hi… I am Aparna Dev, a chemistry Postgraduate with a good understanding of chemistry concepts. I am working in Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited Kollam with experience in the development of electrocatalysts as a part of post graduate thesis.
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