DP IB Chemistry: HL

Revision Notes

Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2014

Last exams 2024

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10.2.7 Alkenes - Hydration

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Hydration of Alkenes

  • When alkenes are treated with steam at 300 oC, a pressure of 60 atmospheres and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) or phosphoric acid (H3PO4) catalyst, the water is added across the double bond in a reaction known as hydration
  • An alkene is converted into an alcohol
  • The reaction processes via an intermediate in which H+ and HSO4 ions are added across the double bond
  • The intermediate is quickly hydrolysed by water, reforming the sulfuric acid

Hydration in Alkenes

  • This is a very important industrial reaction for producing large quantities of ethanol, a widely used solvent and fuel
  • The process is much faster and higher yielding that producing ethanol by fermentation

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