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Reaction of Ether with Sulphuric Acid

Chemical Properties of Ethers (with H₂SO₄)

On heating with dilute sulfuric acid under pressure, ethers are hydrolysed to alcohols.
For example,

C₂H₅OC₂H₅ + H₂O ----(dil.H2so4,high pressure)-----> 2C₂H₅OH

Mixed ethers under similar conditions give a mixture of alcohols.

CH₃OC₂H₅ + H₂O ------(dil.H2so4,high pressure)------>C₂H₅OH + CH₃OH

But if concentrated sulfuric acid is used, then the products are alcohol and alkyl hydrogen sulphate.

C₂H₅OC₂H₅ (Diethyl ether) -----(heat, conc. H2SO4)-----> C₂H₅OH (ethanol)+ C₂H₅OSO₂OH (ethyl hydrogen sulphate)

Ethers containing secondary and tertiary alkyl groups form alkenes with conc. sulphuric acid.
For example