Question about alcohol protonation

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In summary, the book discusses using H2SO4 to protonate alcohols, but the conditions for the reaction can vary. Sometimes diluted H2SO4 is used in warm conditions, while other times conc. H2SO4 is used in heat. This is because different reactions require different conditions, and sometimes the presence or absence of water can affect the outcome.
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MarcL
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Hey, so I saw in my book that it used H2SO4 reacted with an alcohol to protonate it ( makes sense). But sometimes it uses diluted H2SO4 in warm and other times it will be H2SO4 in heat. I was just wondering, what difference do reaction hold?

What seems odd is that water is formed anyway in the protonation of alcohol, so why use diluted H2SO4?
 
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What is the protonated alcohol used for? Same thing each time, or different reactions? If different - is it in any way strange that different reactions require different conditions?
 
  • #3
MarcL said:
Hey, so I saw in my book that it used H2SO4 reacted with an alcohol to protonate it ( makes sense). But sometimes it uses diluted H2SO4 in warm and other times it will be H2SO4 in heat. I was just wondering, what difference do reaction hold?

What seems odd is that water is formed anyway in the protonation of alcohol, so why use diluted H2SO4?

Different reactions require different conditions. Sometimes conc. H2SO4 just screws up the reactants and sometimes diluted H2SO4 is just not enough or the reaction needs absence of water
 

1. What is protonation of alcohol?

Protonation of alcohol is the process of adding a proton (H+) to an alcohol molecule, resulting in the formation of an alcohol cation. This protonation reaction typically occurs in acidic conditions and can change the chemical and physical properties of the alcohol.

2. How does protonation affect the properties of alcohol?

Protonation can increase the acidity of the alcohol, making it more reactive in chemical reactions. It can also change the solubility and stability of the alcohol, as well as its boiling point and melting point. Additionally, protonation can alter the flavor and smell of the alcohol.

3. What is the difference between protonation and deprotonation?

Protonation is the addition of a proton to a molecule, while deprotonation is the removal of a proton. In the case of alcohol, protonation results in the formation of an alcohol cation, while deprotonation would result in the formation of an alcohol anion.

4. What factors can influence the protonation of alcohol?

The acidity of the solution, the strength of the acid being used, and the structure of the alcohol molecule can all affect the protonation reaction. Additionally, the presence of other functional groups on the alcohol can also impact the protonation process.

5. What are the applications of protonation in chemistry?

Protonation is a fundamental reaction in organic chemistry and is used in a variety of applications, such as in the synthesis of new compounds, in catalytic reactions, and in the production of pharmaceuticals and other industrial products. It is also an important process in biochemistry, as many biological molecules undergo protonation and deprotonation reactions in living organisms.

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