Student A conducted the acid-catalyzed dehydration of ethanol at 180°C and obtained a gaseous product. Student B conducted the same experiment at 140 °C and obtained a lowboiling liquid. What were the products that each of the students made? Draw mechanisms for the formation of these products. What could account for the formation of two different products?(Hint: Consider what other reactions might compete with an elimination under

Question

Student A conducted the acid-catalyzed dehydration of ethanol at 180°C and obtained a gaseous product.  Student B conducted the same experiment at 140 °C and obtained a lowboiling liquid.  What were the products that each of the students made?  Draw mechanisms for the formation of these products.  What could account for the formation of two different products?(Hint: Consider what other reactions might compete with an elimination under 
these conditions.)

DrBob222 · Answer

ethylene is the gas.
diethyl ether is the other.
Here is a site where you can read about them.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol#Reactions
The boards don't support drawing mechanisms or diagrams. I think I may be able to find a mechanism on the web. If so I'll post a link.

DrBob222 · Answer

http://www.chemguide.co.uk/mechanisms/elim/dhethanol.html