Show a detailed mechanism for the following reaction. Include all arrows and steps. H₂C- CH₂ - OH H₂0 но OH

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**Reaction Mechanism: Hydrolysis of Ethylene Oxide**

**Objective:**  
Detail the mechanism for the hydrolysis of ethylene oxide using hydroxide ion (-OH) and water (H2O) to produce ethylene glycol.

**Reaction Overview:**

- **Reactants:** Ethylene oxide (C2H4O), Hydroxide ion (-OH), and Water (H2O)
- **Products:** Ethylene glycol (C2H6O2)

**Mechanism Steps:**

1. **Nucleophilic Attack:**
   - The hydroxide ion (-OH) attacks the less hindered carbon atom in the three-membered ring of ethylene oxide. This is due to the ring strain and the electrophilic nature of the carbon atoms.
  
2. **Opening of the Ring:**
   - The nucleophilic attack leads to the opening of the epoxide ring. The oxygen in the ring gains an additional electron pair, becoming a negatively charged alkoxide ion.

3. **Protonation:**
   - The negatively charged oxygen (alkoxide ion) is protonated by a water molecule. This step regains the stability and results in the formation of ethylene glycol.

**Final Product:**

- **Ethylene Glycol (HO-CH2-CH2-OH):**
   - A glycol with two hydroxyl (-OH) groups, signifying the transformation of the epoxide ring into a diol.

**Notes:**

- The reaction is a typical example of base-catalyzed ring opening of an epoxide.
- The reaction helps illustrate the concept of nucleophilic substitution and the stability gained by ring opening.
Transcribed Image Text:**Reaction Mechanism: Hydrolysis of Ethylene Oxide** **Objective:** Detail the mechanism for the hydrolysis of ethylene oxide using hydroxide ion (-OH) and water (H2O) to produce ethylene glycol. **Reaction Overview:** - **Reactants:** Ethylene oxide (C2H4O), Hydroxide ion (-OH), and Water (H2O) - **Products:** Ethylene glycol (C2H6O2) **Mechanism Steps:** 1. **Nucleophilic Attack:** - The hydroxide ion (-OH) attacks the less hindered carbon atom in the three-membered ring of ethylene oxide. This is due to the ring strain and the electrophilic nature of the carbon atoms. 2. **Opening of the Ring:** - The nucleophilic attack leads to the opening of the epoxide ring. The oxygen in the ring gains an additional electron pair, becoming a negatively charged alkoxide ion. 3. **Protonation:** - The negatively charged oxygen (alkoxide ion) is protonated by a water molecule. This step regains the stability and results in the formation of ethylene glycol. **Final Product:** - **Ethylene Glycol (HO-CH2-CH2-OH):** - A glycol with two hydroxyl (-OH) groups, signifying the transformation of the epoxide ring into a diol. **Notes:** - The reaction is a typical example of base-catalyzed ring opening of an epoxide. - The reaction helps illustrate the concept of nucleophilic substitution and the stability gained by ring opening.
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