Year 12s: what will be the first way you research your future options? >>

Mechanism for the reaction of Epoxyethane with water ?

Hi, I can't quite figure out how to draw the mechanism for the reaction of epoxyethane with water, I've tried to google it and haven't found any useful resources. :smile:

any help appreciated

Reply 1

charco

Study Forum Helper

Original post by P_I_Z_Z_A

Hi, I can't quite figure out how to draw the mechanism for the reaction of epoxyethane with water, I've tried to google it and haven't found any useful resources. :smile:

any help appreciated

I assume that the product is ethan-1,2-diol

1. Attack by lone pair of water molecule's oxygen at electron deficient carbon.
2. Cleavage (simultaneous) of C-O bond.
3. Loss of proton by one oxygen and capture by the other.