Question

Explain about the various dehydration reactions of ethylene glycol.

Answer 1

Ethylene glycol undergoes dehydration reaction under different conditions to form different products.

1. When ethylene glycol is heated to 773K, it forms epoxides.

2. When heated with dilute sulphuric acid (or) anhydrous ZnCl₂ under pressure in a sealed tube, it gives acetaldehyde.

3. When distilled with Conc. H₂SO₄ , glycol forms 1, 4 – dioxane