In the UK industrial ethanol is now produced by the direct hydration of ethene - AQA - A-Level Chemistry - Question 32 - 2019 - Paper 3
Question 32
In the UK industrial ethanol is now produced by the direct hydration of ethene. This process has largely replaced the fermentation method.
Which is a likely reason ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:In the UK industrial ethanol is now produced by the direct hydration of ethene - AQA - A-Level Chemistry - Question 32 - 2019 - Paper 3
Step 1
The direct hydration route produces purer ethanol.
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Answer
The process of direct hydration of ethene leads to a more controlled reaction environment, resulting in purer ethanol compared to fermentation methods which can produce a mixture of products.
Step 2
The direct hydration route employs milder conditions.
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Answer
This method typically operates under conditions that are more economical and sustainable, which may not be true for traditional fermentation processes.
Step 3
The direct hydration route does NOT use a catalyst.
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Answer
In fact, the direct hydration of ethene typically requires a catalyst to facilitate the reaction, making this statement incorrect.
Step 4
The direct hydration route produces ethanol by a slower reaction.
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Answer
This statement is misleading as the direct hydration can be optimized for speed; fermentation is often slower, hence leading to the transition to a faster method.
