• When alkenes are treated with steam at?300?^oC,?a pressure of?60 atmospheres?and?sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄)?or?phosphoric acid?(H₃PO₄)?catalyst, the water is added across the double bond in a reaction known as?hydration
• An?alkene?is converted into an?alcohol
• The reaction processes via an intermediate in which H^+?and HSO₄^-??ions are added across the?double bond
• The intermediate is quickly hydrolysed by water, reforming the sulfuric acid

Hydration in Alkenes

• This is a very important industrial reaction for producing large quantities of ethanol, a widely used solvent and fuel
• The process is much faster and higher yielding that producing ethanol by?fermentation