alkenes -> alcohols

• What conditions are required for the electrophilic addition of H2O to an alkene, what type of reaction is this called?

  Steam, 300 degrees Celsius, pressure 60-70 atm and in the presence of a phosphoric (V) acid catalyst.

  This reaction is called hydration.
• What are the products of the hydration reaction?

  An alcohol.
• What are the product(s) of hydration of ethene?

  Ethanol (CH3CH2OH)
• Is the hydration reaction reversible?

  Yes.
• What is the reaction yield of the hydration reaction of alkenes?

  The reaction yield is low - with ethene it's only about 5%.

  However, you can recycle the unreacted alkene gas, making the overall yield better (you can get an overall yield of 95% with ethene)