Question

How are the following compound obtained by hydration of alkenes?

Ethyl alcohol

Answer 1

When ethene is passed through cold 98% H₂SO₄, ethyl hydrogen sulphate is formed, which on heating with water gives ethanol.

\[\ce{\underset{Ethene}{CH2}= CH2 + \underset{Cold 98\% conc.}{HOSO3H} -> \underset{Ethyl hydrogen sulphate}{CH3 - CH2 - OSO3H}}\]

\[\ce{CH3 - CH2 - OSO3H + H2O ->[boil] \underset{Ethanol}{CH3 - CH2} - OH + HOSO3H}\]