Making ethanol by the hydration of ethene

3 marks · Normal

Ethanol can be made from ethene by hydration.

(a)

State the word equation for the hydration of ethene to produce ethanol.

[1 mark]

(b)

Write the balanced symbol equation for this reaction. Include physical states.

[2 marks]

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(a) ethene + steam → ethanol · must show ethene + steam → ethanol

(b) \ce{CH2=CH2(g) + H2O(g) -> CH3CH2OH(g)} · must show CH2=CH2(g) + H2O(g) -> CH3CH2OH(g)

Common mistakes: Incorrect formula for ethanol; Omitting physical states; Incorrect balancing

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Marking points

B1 (a) · 1 mark · Correct word equation: ethene + steam → ethanol.

M1 (b) · 1 mark · Correct formulae for reactants and product (CH2=CH2, H2O, CH3CH2OH), with correct physical states (all (g)).

A1 (b) · 1 mark · Correct balancing and arrow: CH2=CH2(g) + H2O(g) → CH3CH2OH(g).

Worked solution

a) The word equation for the hydration of ethene is:

ethene + steam → ethanol

b) The balanced symbol equation with physical states is: