Chapter 4, Problem 69E

Outline the steps needed to solve the following problem, then do the calculations. Ether, ${\left({\text{C}}_2{\text{H}}_5\right)}_2\text{O}$, which was originally used as an anesthetic but has been replaced by safer and more effective medications, is prepared by the reaction of ethanol with sulfuric acid.

${\text{2C}}_2{\text{H}}_5\text{OH}+{\text{H}}_2{\text{SO}}_4\to {\left({\text{C}}_2{\text{H}}_5\right)}_2\text{O}+{\text{H}}_2{\text{SO}}_4\cdot {\text{H}}_2\text{O}$

What is the percent yield of ether if 1.17 L (d = 0.7134 g/mL) is isolated from the reaction of 1.500 L of ${\text{C}}_2{\text{H}}_5\text{OH}$ (d = 0.7894 g/mL)?