Write down the reaction equation: ethane – ethylene – ethyl alcohol – acetaldehyde – acetic acid – ethyl acetate

In the task we were given a homologous series from ethane to ethyl acetate. In order to conduct it, we need to carry out five reactions.

1) Add hydrogen to ethane and get ethylene. The reaction takes place only in the presence of a trivalent aluminum oxide catalyst.

C2H4 + H2 = C2H6

2). Next, we carry out the reaction of ethylene hydration and in the end we get ethyl alcohol.

C2H4 + H2O = C2H5OH

3) From ethyl alcohol we get acetaldehyde by adding copper oxide. Also in this reaction, which takes place with increasing temperature, water and pure copper are formed, which precipitates.

C2H5OH + CuO = CH3COH + Cu + H2O

4) Acetic acid is obtained from acetaldehyde by the reaction of aldehyde and copper hydroxide. The reaction also proceeds with an increase in the reaction temperature.

CH3COH + 2 Cu (OH) 2 = CH3COOH + Cu2O + 2 H2O

5) And from acetic acid, we can get ethyl acetate by reaction with ethyl alcohol. This reaction is possible in the presence of a sulfuric acid catalyst.

CH3COOH + C2H5OH = CH3COOC2H5 + H2O.