Chemistry · Common types of organic reactions: Substitution, addition, elimination and rearrangement

When sugar is acted upon by conc. sulphuric acid, the product formed is:

When sugar is acted upon by conc. sulphuric acid, the product formed is:

  • A. ethyl alcohol
  • B. methyl alcohol
  • C. black mass carbon
  • D. carbon dioxide

Step-by-step solution

Concentrated sulfuric acid is a strong dehydrating agent. When it acts on sugar (sucrose, C12H22O11), it removes water (H2O) molecules, leaving behind elemental carbon as a porous black mass. The reaction is: C12H22O11 → 12C + 11H2O. This is a classic demonstration of dehydration of sugar by concentrated H2SO4.
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