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Chemistry Forums for Students => Organic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: souro10 on January 16, 2013, 11:36:33 AM

Title: Solvent for Acid catalyzed alkene hydration
Post by: souro10 on January 16, 2013, 11:36:33 AM
What is the solvent used for acid catalyzed hydration of alkenes? Water? Aren't alkenes insoluble in water?
Title: Re: Solvent for Acid catalyzed alkene hydration
Post by: souro10 on January 16, 2013, 01:33:22 PM
Edit: I read a reaction in a book which talks about reaction between Isobutene and water, in presence of small amount of catalyst at 25 degree Celsius. Now, the solvent isn't mentioned. I assume Isobutene at that temperature is gas, while water is in liquid phase. Does it mean isobutene is bubbled through water? Why does bubbling the gas through water cause the reaction, or many reactions to happen? I mean, even the bubbles are in gas phase aren't they? So how is reaction between two different phases occurring so fast? 
Title: Re: Solvent for Acid catalyzed alkene hydration
Post by: curiouscat on January 16, 2013, 01:41:42 PM
At the interface? Why not?
Title: Re: Solvent for Acid catalyzed alkene hydration
Post by: curiouscat on January 16, 2013, 04:03:19 PM
So how is reaction between two different phases occurring so fast?

How fast?

Quote
I read a reaction in a book which talks about reaction between Isobutene and water, in presence of small amount of catalyst at 25 degree Celsius. I assume Isobutene at that temperature is gas, while water is in liquid phase.

What Pressure?
Title: Re: Solvent for Acid catalyzed alkene hydration
Post by: NotExactly on January 17, 2013, 02:47:03 PM
If you consider the stoichiometry of reactions involving gas reagents, the gas reagent is usualyl in a huge excess compared to the liquid reagent which is a major driving force for the reaction.  If you are bubbling a gas through a liquid medium, the moles of the gas reagent is essentially infinity.