Why does the + sign move to O in the addition of alkene with water?

In summary, the conversation is discussing the formal charge of oxygen in the molecule CH3CH2OH. The question is whether the oxygen becomes electron deficient after the addition of a lone pair from OH2 and why the + sign is moved to the oxygen. The conversation also touches on the importance of calculating formal charges in organic chemistry and the benefits of understanding the reasoning behind them rather than just memorizing them.
  • #1
kelvin macks
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0

Homework Statement



my question is at part 2 , since c form ch3ch2 is electron deficient, but after OH2 added in , with lone pair electron on O, the c should be no longer electron deficient anymore. am i right? why the + sign is moved to O now?

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 

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  • #2
Please calculate the formal charge on oxygen. Remember that H2O has two lone electron pairs.
 
  • #3
ChiralWaltz said:
Please calculate the formal charge on oxygen. Remember that H2O has two lone electron pairs.

do u mean now the O become electron deficient, since one lone pair of lectron is donated to C+, and now there's one lone pair left one the O atom?
 
  • #4
Why is oxygen electron deficient at this point? How many valence electrons should it have to be neutral? How many to be positive? How many to be negative? Do all atoms have the same requirements for their valence shells?

Hint: this deals with the calculation of its Formal Charge…
 
  • #5
kelvin macks said:
do u mean now the O become electron deficient, since one lone pair of lectron is donated to C+, and now there's one lone pair left one the O atom?

That is not what I said but it is another, less formal, way of looking at the same thing. Knowing how to calculate formal charges is good because books and people can make mistakes. Keeping track of your electrons is incredibly important in O Chem. Once you have seen an oxygen with three sigma bonds and a lone electron pair 100 times, you probably won't need to run the formal charge calculations because you know it is positive.

I prefer to know why rather than rely on memorizing though. The memorization is simply a byproduct.
 

Related to Why does the + sign move to O in the addition of alkene with water?

1. What is the purpose of adding water to an alkene?

The addition of water to an alkene is a chemical reaction known as hydration. It is used to produce alcohols, which can be used as solvents, fuels, and building blocks for other chemicals.

2. How does the addition of water to an alkene occur?

The addition of water to an alkene occurs through an electrophilic addition mechanism. The double bond of the alkene acts as a nucleophile and attacks a positively charged proton in water, forming a carbocation intermediate. The carbocation then reacts with another water molecule, resulting in the formation of an alcohol.

3. What are the conditions necessary for the addition of water to an alkene?

The addition of water to an alkene usually requires the presence of a strong acid catalyst, such as sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid. It also requires high temperatures and the absence of air or oxygen, as these can interfere with the reaction.

4. What is the role of the acid catalyst in the addition of water to an alkene?

The acid catalyst plays a crucial role in the addition of water to an alkene. It helps to protonate the alkene, making it more reactive towards water. It also helps to stabilize the carbocation intermediate and facilitate the formation of the alcohol product.

5. What are some common uses of alcohols produced from the addition of water to alkenes?

Alcohols produced from the addition of water to alkenes have a wide range of applications. They can be used as solvents in industries such as pharmaceuticals and paints, as well as in the production of plastics and detergents. They also serve as important building blocks for the synthesis of other chemicals, such as esters and ethers.

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