What Is a Hydration Reaction

A hydration reaction is a chemical reaction where a hydrogen and hydroxyl ion is attached to a carbon in a carbon double bond. Generally, one reactant (usually an alkene or alkyne) reacts with water to yield ethanol, isopropanol, or 2-butanol (all alcohols) are a product. Formula and Example The general formula for a hydration reaction is:RRCCH2 in acid → RRC(-OH)-CH3 An example is the hydration reaction of ethylene oxide to produce ethylene glycol: C2H4O H2O → HO-CH2CH2-OH