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+ Thermodynamics
+ Chemistry
+ Equilibrium
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LaggyIDK

Why are Alcohol Dehydration Reactions Favored by High Temperatures?

Bela Bessenyei  Follow

Let's take: $\,\,\,\,\ce{ethene(g) + H2O(g) <=> ethanol(g)} $

The standard enthalpy for hydration of ethene is $\Delta H^\circ_r=-45\frac{KJ}{mol}$. So we have $\Delta H^\circ_r=45\frac{KJ}{mol}$ for dehydration, which means that it is endothermic.

The expression:

\begin{align}\frac{K_2}{K_1} &= \exp{\left(\frac{\Delta T \Delta H}{RT_1T_2}\right)} \tag{1}\\\end{align}

(This equation is valid when Ts are similar, because $\Delta H$ varies with $T$ and you are considering it constant.)

with $\Delta T= T_2-T_1$ and $\Delta H_r^\circ>0$ (dehydration) equation (1) gives $K_2>K_1$.

As $$K = \frac{[\ce{H2O}]\,[\ce{CH2CH2}]}{[\ce{CH3CH2OH}]}$$

and $K_2>K_1$. In consequence dehydration enthalpy is favoured by temperature-increase.

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George Dukesh  Follow
What youre saying makes sense if in fact hydration is exothermic and dehydration is endothermic, but other sources like my book (Organic Chemistry Wade) say the latter are exothermic.More
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Hobby Logie  Follow
Now Im confused because my book says alcohol dehydration is exothermic. They included an energy chart with the products (alkene) having lower energy than the reagents (alcohol). I will edit my original post to include it.More
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Jery Henuhili  Follow
Yes, but if the reaction is exothermic, that means ΔH<0 which would make the argument negative as ΔT is positive.More
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