Hydration reaction

Hydration is a term in the natural sciences, especially in organic chemistry. The term hydration is not sharply distinguished from " hydration " and " hydrolysis ". Under hydration refers to a chemical reaction, are added at a fraction of the water molecules with (H -O) bonding to a substrate. The term is not to be confused with the hydration, so the addition of water to ions or in the crystal lattice (crystal water), and the hydrogenation, which means the addition of hydrogen to a substrate.

Addition of water to a C = C double bond ( reaction)

This reaction is usually carried out in a strongly acidic aqueous solution. While in the hydrolysis, the non-water component is separated into two components, it remains in the hydration obtained as a molecule.

The general formula of the reaction is:

As an example, the reaction of cyclohexene to cyclohexanol, with sulfuric acid as a catalyst.

In laboratory practice, this reaction often produces unwanted by-products. An alternative is - as Oxymercuration - no longer contemporary for toxicological reasons.

Addition of water to a C = O double bond ( reaction)

Chloral formed by absorption of water a stable gem- diol chloral hydrate. This is one of the few compounds that contradict the Erlenmeyer rule. Formaldehyde is analogous formaldehyde hydrate with water. The balance is 99.9 % on the side of formaldehyde.