Final answer:
When an alkene is treated with a peroxyacid, an epoxide is formed. The reaction involves the oxygen of the peroxyacid attacking one of the carbon atoms in the double bond of the alkene, resulting in the formation of the ring.
Step-by-step explanation:
When an alkene is treated with a peroxyacid, an epoxide is formed. An epoxide is a three-membered cyclic ether with oxygen atoms at each end. The reaction involves the oxygen of the peroxyacid attacking one of the carbon atoms in the double bond of the alkene, resulting in the formation of the ring. The reaction can be represented as follows:
RCH=CH2 + R'COOOH → RCH2CH2O + R'COOH
For example, if ethene (CH2=CH2) is treated with peroxyacetic acid (CH3COOOH), ethylene oxide (CH2CH2O) and acetic acid (CH3COOH) are obtained as products.