How to Address Practical Challenges in Driving a Chemical Reaction to Completion – Part 1

Chemical equilibrium is the state in which both the reactants and products in a chemical reaction are present in concentrations that have no more propensity to change with time, s.t. there is no visible alteration in the system properties.


This state results when the forward reaction proceeds at the same rate as the reverse/backward reaction, and is known as dynamic equilibrium.

Le Chatelier's principle (aka Chatelier's principle, Braun–Le Chatelier principle, Le Chatelier–Braun principle or the equilibrium law) states if a system in a chemical equilibrium is subjected to a change in conditions, viz., concentration, temperature or pressure, the equilibrium shifts in such a way that the effect of change is nullified.

An electrophilic addition (AE) reaction is an addition reaction where a chemical compound containing a double/triple bond has a π bond broken, with the formation of two new σ bonds. The conversion of Ethylene to Ethyl alcohol by steam in presence of Phosphoric acid (supported on Silicon dioxide) as a catalyst at an elevated temperature and pressure is an AE.

Ethyl alcohol finds its application as a recreational beverage, an energy source, a reagent or precursor in organic synthesis and in medical science.

Question:

Discuss the practical challenges in driving the following reaction to completion:



Click/tap to enlarge the image

Solution:



Click/tap to enlarge the image

SM = Starting material (Ethene)

Low in Le Chatelier's principle❓ Let Chemaficionado know in the comments below or at mychemistryhomework@gmail.com❗

References:

(1)    Clark, J. The manufacture of ethanol from ethene. Chemguide.co.uk. https://www.chemguide.co.uk/physical/equilibria/ethanol.html.

(2)    Wikipedia Contributors. Chemical equilibrium. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_equilibrium.

(3)    Wikipedia Contributors. Le Chatelier’s principle. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Chatelier%27s_principle.

‌(4)    Wikipedia Contributors. Electrophilic addition. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrophilic_addition.

(5)    Wikipedia Contributors. Ethanol. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol.

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