Groups VIA and VIIA (16 and 17)- Dehydration of Sugar by Sulfuric Acid

Acidic and Basic Properties of Oxides

Ozone Casts a Shadow in UV Light

Preparation and Properties of Liquid Oxygen

Dehydration of Sugar by Sulfuric Acid

Preparation and Properties of Sulfur Dioxide

Plastic Sulfur

Reaction of Chlorine and Aluminum

HCl Cannon

Reaction of Chlorine and Iron

Buffering Action and Capacity

Dehydration of Sugar by Sulfuric Acid

Description:  Concentrated sulfuric acid is added to sugar in a beaker and stirred. The mixture changes color from white crystalline solid to a black amorphous solid. The solid expands out of the beaker, accompanied by the evolution of heat, sulfur oxides, and the smell of burned sugar and sulfur dioxide.

Source: Shakhashiri, B.Z. Chemical Demonstrations: A Handbook for Teachers of Chemistry

Year: 1983  Vol: 1  Page: 77

Keywords: Sulfuric Acid, Exothermic, Sugar, Dehydration

Rating:

Hazard: High

• Acute toxicity hazard
• Chemical burn hazard
• Skin corrosion hazard
• Inhalation hazard
• Thermal burn hazard
• Serious eye damage hazard

Effectiveness: Excellent

• Results are deeply engaging to audience
• Spectacular effects are seen by audience
• Superior reliability
• Clear contrast between behavior of systems
• Time to results is low
• Good connection from demo to course material

Difficulty: Medium

• Some intermediate steps to results
• Some timed manipulations
• Reactions in which toxic substances are produced
• Simple procedures

Safety Precautions:

• Eye protection required
• Chemical and thermal gloves required
• Downdraft hood or fume hood required
• Chemically resistant surface required
• Acid neutralization spill kit required
• Avoid exposure to evolved gases

Class: Organic Chemistry, Dehydration Reaction, Groups VIA and VIIA (16 and 17), Main Group Elements

Division: General, Organic Chemistry

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