A compound ‘X’ on heating with excess conc. sulphuric acid at 443 K gives an unsaturated compound ‘Y’. ‘X’ also reacts with sodium metal to evolve a colourless gas ‘Z’. Identify ‘X’, ‘Y’ and ‘Z’. Write the equation of the chemical reaction of formation of ‘Y’ and also write the role of sulphuric acid in the reaction.
Compound X is ethanol
Compound Y is ethene
Compound Z is hydrogen gas.
Hot concentrated sulphuric acid is a strong dehydrating agent. It reacts with ethanol to give ethene by removing water.