Show a detailed mechanism for the following reaction. Include all arrows and steps. H₂C- • CH₂ - OH H₂O но OH

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Chapter1: Chemical Foundations
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The image depicts a chemical reaction where an epoxide (ethene oxide) reacts with a hydroxide ion to form ethylene glycol. The mechanism involves:

1. **Reactants**: 
   - **Epoxide (ethylene oxide)**: A three-membered cyclic ether with the formula \( \text{C}_2\text{H}_4\text{O} \).
   - **Hydroxide ion (\(-\text{OH}\))**: This acts as the nucleophile.

2. **Reaction Conditions**:
   - Presence of water (\(\text{H}_2\text{O}\)) as the solvent.

3. **Mechanism**:
   - The hydroxide ion attacks the less hindered carbon atom in the epoxide, leading to the opening of the three-membered ring. 
   - This results in the formation of an alkoxide intermediate, which is subsequently protonated by water.
   - The final product is ethylene glycol (\(\text{HOCH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{OH}\)).

4. **Product**:
   - **Ethylene Glycol**: A diol with the formula \( \text{C}_2\text{H}_6\text{O}_2 \).

The reaction is an example of a nucleophilic substitution, where the epoxide is opened by a nucleophile under basic conditions. The diagram should include arrows showing the flow of electrons from the hydroxide ion to the carbon in the epoxide, and from the epoxide oxygen to open the ring and stabilize the charge.
Transcribed Image Text:The image depicts a chemical reaction where an epoxide (ethene oxide) reacts with a hydroxide ion to form ethylene glycol. The mechanism involves: 1. **Reactants**: - **Epoxide (ethylene oxide)**: A three-membered cyclic ether with the formula \( \text{C}_2\text{H}_4\text{O} \). - **Hydroxide ion (\(-\text{OH}\))**: This acts as the nucleophile. 2. **Reaction Conditions**: - Presence of water (\(\text{H}_2\text{O}\)) as the solvent. 3. **Mechanism**: - The hydroxide ion attacks the less hindered carbon atom in the epoxide, leading to the opening of the three-membered ring. - This results in the formation of an alkoxide intermediate, which is subsequently protonated by water. - The final product is ethylene glycol (\(\text{HOCH}_2\text{CH}_2\text{OH}\)). 4. **Product**: - **Ethylene Glycol**: A diol with the formula \( \text{C}_2\text{H}_6\text{O}_2 \). The reaction is an example of a nucleophilic substitution, where the epoxide is opened by a nucleophile under basic conditions. The diagram should include arrows showing the flow of electrons from the hydroxide ion to the carbon in the epoxide, and from the epoxide oxygen to open the ring and stabilize the charge.
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it is nucleophilic substitution reaction. where nucleophile is OH-

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