The acid-catalyzed dehydration we learned in this chapter is reversible, as shown below.

(d) How might you shift the equilibrium to the right?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Recognize that the reaction shown is an equilibrium between an alkene and an alcohol, catalyzed by sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄). The forward reaction involves hydration of the alkene to form the alcohol, while the reverse reaction involves dehydration of the alcohol to form the alkene.
2. Step 2: Apply Le Chatelier's Principle, which states that a system at equilibrium will shift to counteract changes in concentration, pressure, or temperature. To shift the equilibrium to the right (toward the alcohol), you need to favor the hydration reaction.
3. Step 3: Increase the concentration of water (H₂O) in the reaction mixture. Adding excess water will drive the equilibrium toward the alcohol product, as the system will attempt to reduce the concentration of water by forming more alcohol.
4. Step 4: Remove the alcohol product as it forms. By continuously removing the alcohol from the reaction mixture, the equilibrium will shift to the right to produce more alcohol to replace what was removed.
5. Step 5: Lower the temperature if the hydration reaction is exothermic. If the forward reaction releases heat, lowering the temperature will favor the formation of the alcohol product according to Le Chatelier's Principle.

Key Concepts

Le Chatelier's Principle

Le Chatelier's Principle states that if a dynamic equilibrium is disturbed by changing the conditions, the position of equilibrium shifts to counteract the change. In the context of acid-catalyzed dehydration, altering concentration, temperature, or pressure can influence the direction of the reaction, favoring either the formation of products or reactants.

Equilibrium Constant (K)

The equilibrium constant (K) quantifies the ratio of the concentrations of products to reactants at equilibrium for a given reaction at a specific temperature. A larger K value indicates a greater concentration of products at equilibrium, suggesting that the reaction favors product formation. Understanding K helps predict how changes in conditions will affect the equilibrium position.

Acid-Base Catalysis

Acid-base catalysis involves the acceleration of a reaction by an acid or base, which donates or accepts protons (H+ ions). In acid-catalyzed dehydration, the presence of an acid facilitates the removal of water from alcohols, promoting the formation of alkenes. Recognizing the role of the catalyst is crucial for understanding how to manipulate the reaction conditions to shift the equilibrium.