Concentrated Sulfuric acid is poured over a sample of cane sugar, resulting in a black charring mass. What chemical mechanism occurs?
Q1. Concentrated Sulfuric acid is poured over a sample of cane sugar, resulting in a black charring mass. What chemical mechanism occurs?
Answer: Dehydration of sugar to carbon
Explanation: Sulfuric acid acts as a powerful dehydrating agent on sugar; oxidizing agent is tempting but dehydration is the dominant visible reaction.