Question

Hot concentrated sulphuric acid is a moderately strong oxidizing agent, which of the following reactions does not show oxidizing behaviour?

• A. \( 2H_2SO_4 + H_2O_2 \rightarrow H_3O^+ + SO_4^{2-} + H_2O \)
• B. Oxidation of SO2 to SO3
• C. Dehydration of alcohols to alkenes
• D. Reaction with metals to form metal sulfates

Hint:

Sulfuric acid is a strong dehydrating agent but also acts as an oxidizer in several reactions, such as the oxidation of SO2 to SO3.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: In this reaction, sulfuric acid is acting as a catalyst and does not undergo a change in oxidation state, so it does not exhibit oxidizing behavior. It is simply facilitating the reaction.

Step 2: - (B) Sulfuric acid oxidizes sulfur dioxide (SO2) to sulfur trioxide (SO3), showing oxidizing behavior.
- (C) Sulfuric acid dehydrates alcohols to form alkenes, but it does not show oxidizing behavior.
- (D) Sulfuric acid reacts with metals to form metal sulfates, which is typically an oxidation process.
Conclusion: Reaction (A) does not exhibit oxidizing behavior.