- #1
Clack_Attack
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One of the first addition reactions we learn in a basic organic chemistry class is the hydration of an alkene, that is breaking a double bond by adding water (the H and the OH specifically) across the double bond.
The only requirement is that the solution be acidic.
I'm wondering if the reaction still would take place even in pure water but just much slower.
obviously, adding Sulfuric acid increases the presence of hydronium in the solution, and the hydronium will then act as the electrophile, for the reaction. But even in pure water, hydronium is still present, so the pi bond should still break... it just happens slower...
Am I right or is there a completely different reason that we need acid to be present.
The only requirement is that the solution be acidic.
I'm wondering if the reaction still would take place even in pure water but just much slower.
obviously, adding Sulfuric acid increases the presence of hydronium in the solution, and the hydronium will then act as the electrophile, for the reaction. But even in pure water, hydronium is still present, so the pi bond should still break... it just happens slower...
Am I right or is there a completely different reason that we need acid to be present.