(N/A) Acidic dehydration of alcohols involves the removal of a water molecule from an alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst to form an alkene.
General Reaction:
$CH_3-CH_2-OH \xrightarrow[\Delta, 443 \ K]{Conc. \ H_2SO_4} CH_2=CH_2 + H_2O$
Mechanism and Explanation:
$1$. In this reaction,the $-OH$ group is removed from the $\alpha$-carbon,and a hydrogen atom is removed from the $\beta$-carbon.
$2$. This results in the formation of a $\pi$-bond between the $\alpha$ and $\beta$ carbons.
$3$. Because a hydrogen atom is eliminated from the $\beta$-position,this process is also known as a $\beta$-elimination reaction.
$4$. Common dehydrating agents used include concentrated $H_2SO_4$,$H_3PO_4$,or anhydrous $Al_2O_3$ at high temperatures.