Solution: An important industrial source of ethanol is the reaction, catalyzed by H 3PO4, of steam with ethylene derived from oil:   C2H4(g) + H2O(g) ⇌ C2H5OH(g)     ΔH°rxn = −47.8 kJ      Kc = 9 x 103 at 600.

An important industrial source of ethanol is the reaction, catalyzed by H ₃PO₄, of steam with ethylene derived from oil:   

C₂H₄(g) + H₂O(g) ⇌ C₂H₅OH(g)     

ΔH°_rxn = −47.8 kJ      K_c = 9 x 10³ at 600. K

(d) In NH₃ manufacture, the yield is increased by condensing the NH ₃ to a liquid and removing it. Would condensing the C₂H₅OH have the same effect in ethanol production? Explain.