Question

In base-catalyzed addition of water to a carbonyl group, what are the order of events?

Answer 1

The order of events in base-catalyzed addition of water to a carbonyl group follows a nucleophilic attack, deprotonation, and elimination of water. Sulfuric acid is used as an acid catalyst to facilitate the reaction.

Step-by-step explanation:

The order of events in the base-catalyzed addition of water to a carbonyl group is as follows:

1. Nucleophilic attack of the nucleophilic amino moiety to the electrophilic carbonyl carbon.
2. Deprotonation of the positive nitrogen atom and protonation of the negative oxygen atom.
3. Elimination of water by protonation of the hydroxyl group and deprotonation at the nitrogen atom.

This reaction is called hydration of an alkene because it results in the addition of a water molecule H-OH to a C=C bond of an alkene. Sulfuric acid is used as an acid catalyst to facilitate the reaction. The overall result is the addition of a nucleophile (water) to the carbonyl group.