Diethyl Ether is Synthesized by Catalytic Dehydration of Ethyl Alcohol.

Sulfuric
Acid is Used as the Catalyst in This Acid Base Reaction. Sulfuric Acid Forms th
e ester Ethyl Bisulphate and Generates Water. The Alcohol in the Reaction Bath r
emains Bound and Very Little Ether is Generated.
When Excess EtOH is Added to the Reaction Bath at 140C, Ether is Formed and the
Sulfuric Acid Regenerated. Water Generated in the Reaction is Distilled over wit
h the Ether. The Reaction Mixture Becomes Black Due to Oxidation/ Reduction Side
Reactions.
The Reaction Bath Consists of: 20g of Clean Sand, 180mL EtOH, and 160mL of 96.4%
H2S04. An Additional 750mL of Ethyl Alcohol is Slowly Added by way of an Additi
on Funnel.
The Reaction Bath is Kept at 135- 145C while the Still Head Temp is 55-85C.
The Second Distillation is Done with a Water Bath Due to the Extreme Flammabilit
y of Ether which has an Auto Ignition Temp of 170C. The Water Bath is Maintained
Below 60C. The Ether Comes Over at a Remarkably Steady 35C Leaving the Excess W
ater Behind in the Calcium Chloride ~200g.