Ethanol reacts with `H_(2) SO_(4) at 140^(@)` to form :

Options

A. Ethene
B. Ethyl hydrogen sulphate
C. Ethoxy ethane
D. None of these

Answer

To solve the question of what ethanol reacts with sulfuric acid at 140°C to form, we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Reactants
Ethanol (C₂H₅OH) is an alcohol, and sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) is a strong acid. When ethanol reacts with sulfuric acid, the acid can protonate the alcohol group.

**Hint:** Identify the functional groups in the reactants and their properties.

### Step 2: Protonation of Ethanol
In the presence of sulfuric acid, the hydroxyl group (-OH) of ethanol gets protonated. This forms an oxonium ion (C₂H₅OH₂⁺), making the molecule more reactive.

**Hint:** Remember that acids donate protons, leading to the formation of charged species.

### Step 3: Formation of Carbocation
The protonated ethanol can lose a water molecule (H₂O) to form a carbocation (C₂H₅⁺). This carbocation is electron-deficient and highly reactive.

**Hint:** Look for the elimination of water as a common step in reactions involving alcohols and acids.

### Step 4: Nucleophilic Attack
Another molecule of ethanol can act as a nucleophile and attack the carbocation. This results in the formation of an ether.

**Hint:** Recognize that nucleophiles attack electron-deficient centers.

### Step 5: Formation of Ether
The product formed from the reaction is ethoxyethane (C₂H₅OC₂H₅), which is also known as diethyl ether.

**Hint:** Identify the product based on the structure of the reactants and the mechanism of the reaction.

### Final Answer
Ethanol reacts with sulfuric acid at 140°C to form ethoxyethane (diethyl ether).

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