Ethene and steam are used in the industrial manufacture of ethanol (C2H5OH\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{OH}C2H5OH).
The reaction is reversible and can reach a position of dynamic equilibrium.
C2H4(g)+H2O(g)⇌C2H5OH(g)ΔH=−45 kJ/mol \text{C}_2\text{H}_4(\text{g}) + \text{H}_2\text{O}(\text{g}) \rightleftharpoons \text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{OH}(\text{g}) \qquad \Delta H = -45 \text{ kJ/mol} C2H4(g)+H2O(g)⇌C2H5OH(g)ΔH=−45 kJ/molThe reaction is typically carried out at a pressure of about 60 atmospheres and a temperature of 300∘C300^\circ\text{C}300∘C.
State two features of a reaction that is in dynamic equilibrium.
How would an increase in temperature at constant pressure affect the amount of ethanol in the equilibrium mixture? Explain your answer.
How would a decrease in pressure at constant temperature affect the amount of ethanol in the equilibrium mixture? Explain your answer.
Ethanol (C2H5OH\text{C}_2\text{H}_5\text{OH}C2H5OH) can be converted into ethanal (CH3CHO\text{CH}_3\text{CHO}CH3CHO). A mixture of ethanol and oxygen is passed over a heated silver catalyst. Ethanal and water are the only two products.
Write a chemical equation for this conversion of ethanol into ethanal.
What is meant by the term catalyst?
Explain how a catalyst works.
Ethanol can be used as a biofuel. Write the chemical equation for the complete combustion of ethanol.
