======Production of Ethylene======


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**Alternative titles:** Catalytic Dehydration of Ethanol to Ethene, Ethanol to Ethylene Conversion
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====Summary====                   
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====Procedure====  
  - Place aluminum oxide catalyst in the center of a test tube or small glass reaction tube.  
  - Clamp the tube horizontally and connect the outlet to a gas collection system (such as water displacement).  
  - Add ethanol dropwise to the heated catalyst using a dropping funnel or cotton wool soaked in ethanol.  
  - Heat the aluminum oxide catalyst gently to drive the dehydration reaction.  
  - Collect the ethylene gas as it is produced.  
  - Test the gas by bubbling it through iodine water (or bromine water if available). Observe the decolorization, which indicates the presence of a carbon–carbon double bond.



====Links==== 
How to Make Ethene (Ethylene) - Catalytic Dehydration of Ethanol - TheChemistryShack: 
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Preparation of Ethene - Pdst Chemistry: 
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====Variations====
  * Test ethylene with alkaline potassium permanganate solution (Baeyer’s test) to show the formation of a diol.
  * Use ethylene to ripen bananas, test with a control.



====Safety Precautions====
  * Wear safety goggles, gloves, and a lab coat.  
  * Perform the experiment in a well-ventilated area or fume hood; ethene is flammable.  
  * Keep ethanol and ethylene away from open flames.  
  * Handle hot glassware and catalysts with care to avoid burns.  
  * Dispose of halogen water and chemical residues according to laboratory safety protocols.




====Questions to Consider====
  * What type of reaction converts ethanol to ethene? (Dehydration, a type of elimination reaction.)  
  * Why is aluminum oxide used in this experiment? (It acts as a catalyst to lower the activation energy for dehydration.)  
  * How does the test with iodine or bromine water confirm the presence of a double bond? (The halogen adds across the double bond, removing the color of the solution.)  
  * What industrial uses does ethene have? (Polymer production, alcohol synthesis, ripening agent for fruit.)