Main Group Elements- Dehydration of Sugar by Sulfuric Acid

Absorption of UV Light by Ozone

Dehydration of Sugar by Sulfuric Acid

Extinguishing a Magnesium Fire

Extinguishing Candles With Carbon Dioxide

Oxidation of Sodium

Preparation and Properties of Liquid Oxygen

Preparation and Properties of Sulfur Dioxide

Properties of Nitric Oxide

Reaction of Potassium Metal With Bromine

Water Softening – Hard and Soft Water With Soap

Colorful Stalagmites: The Silicate Garden

Phosphorus Writing

Preparation and Properties of Carbon Dioxide

Preparation and Properties of Oxygen

Reaction of Aluminum in NaOH

Reaction Between Carbon Dioxide and Limewater

Water Gas Reaction

Will Tissue Hold Water? Interfacial Tension

Film of Hindenburg Fire

Plastic Sulfur

Samples of Silicate Minerals

Reaction of Chlorine and Aluminum

Oxidation of Carbon by Fuming Nitric Acid

Dehydration of Sugar by Sulfuric Acid

A paper bag labeled granulated sugar, a black solid inside a beaker, and a capped, labeled bottle with clear liquid
A paper bag labeled granulated sugar, a black solid inside a beaker, and a capped, labeled bottle with clear liquid
 

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, Dehydration, Sugar

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 VIB and VIIB (16 and 17), Main Group Elements

Division: General, Organic Chemistry

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The demonstration Dehydration of Sugar by Sulfuric Acid may be found under Organic Chemistry- Dehydration of Sugar by Sulfuric Acid.

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