WAEC - Chemistry (2001 - No. 30)
What is the function of H2SO4 in the following reaction?
C12H22O11 conc. H2SO4 → 12C + 11H2O
Oxidizing agent
Strong acid
Dehydrating agent
Catalyst
Explication
When table sugar (sucrose) is dehydrated with concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4), the sugar turns into a column of carbon, and water and carbon dioxide are produced.
This is a dehydration reaction, which is a chemical reaction that removes water from a molecule or ion.