HYDRATION

• WHAT IS HYDRATION?

  • The reaction of ALKENES with WATER
• GENERAL EQUATION FOR HYDRATION:

  • ALKENE + WATER -> ALCOHOL
• CONDITIONS FOR HYDRATION:

  • WATER- must be in the form of STEAM
  • TEMPERATURE- at least 300 degrees Celsius
  • PRESSURE- at least 70 atmospheres
  • Catalyst- PHOSPHORIC acid
• HYDRATION IS A REVERSIBLE REACTION:

  • Unreacted ALKENE + STEAM- must be passed back through the CATALYST
• EXAMPLE:

  • ETHANOL is an alcohol- used in DRINKS and other INDUSTRIAL processes
  • This reaction is done a LOT (economic GAIN)