Chemistry
Give a reason why concentrated and not dil H2SO4 behaves as an oxidising and dehydrating agent.
Answer
Oxidising property of concentrated sulphuric acid is due to the fact that on thermal decomposition, it yields nascent oxygen [O] which helps in oxidation.
H2SO4 ⟶ H2O + SO2 + [O]
Nascent oxygen oxidizes non-metals, metals and inorganic compounds.
On the other hand, dil H2SO4 on heating does not decompose to give nascent oxygen and as such cannot behave as an Oxidising agent.
Related Questions
Give equations for formation of two different acids from conc. H2SO4. State the property of sulphuric acid involved in the above formation.
Give equations for oxidation of conc. H2SO4 giving the oxidised products –
(i) Carbon dioxide
(ii) Sulphur dioxide
(iii) Phosphoric acid
(iv) Copper (II) sulphate
(v) Iodine
(vi) Sulphur
respectively
Give the equation for the reaction of conc. sulphuric acid with –
(i) glucose
(ii) sucrose
(iii) cellulose
(iv) an organic acid containing one carbon atom and two hydrogen atoms
(v) an organic acid containing two carbon and two hydrogen atoms
(vi) an alcohol
(vii) hydrated copper [II] sulphate
State the observation seen when conc. H2SO4 is added to –
(i) sucrose
(ii) hydrated copper [II] sulphate.