Author
Home > Science > What is the Difference Between Hydration and Hydrogenation?

Guilherme Mazui

•3 minutes to read

What is the Difference Between Hydration and Hydrogenation?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

The main difference between hydration and hydrogenation lies in the substance added to the organic compound during the reaction:

  • Hydration: This is a chemical reaction in which a water molecule is added to a molecule. Hydration reactions require the addition of water and typically occur with a phosphoric acid catalyst at around 300 degrees Celsius.
  • Hydrogenation: This is a chemical reaction in which a hydrogen molecule is added to a molecule. Hydrogenation reactions require the addition of hydrogen gas, a nickel catalyst, and a 60-degree temperature.

Both hydration and hydrogenation are electrophilic addition reactions across a double bond and have very similar mechanisms. However, the substituents added in these processes are different from each other: hydration adds a water molecule, while hydrogenation adds a hydrogen molecule.

On this page
  • What is the Difference Between Hydration and Hydrogenation?
  • Comparative Table: Hydration vs Hydrogenation

    • Comparative Table: Hydration vs Hydrogenation

    The key difference between hydration and hydrogenation is the substance that is added to an organic compound during the reaction. Here is a comparison table highlighting the differences between hydration and hydrogenation:

    Feature Hydration Hydrogenation
    Definition Hydration is the addition of a water molecule to an organic compound. Hydrogenation is the addition of a hydrogen molecule to an organic compound.
    Substituent Water molecule (H2O). Hydrogen molecule (H2).
    Organic Compound Usually an alkene with a double bond between two carbon atoms. Typically involves an unsaturated organic compound.
    Reaction Type Electrophilic addition reaction. Electrophilic addition reaction.
    Conditions Requires heat (around 300 degrees) and a phosphoric acid catalyst. Requires the addition of hydrogen gas, a nickel catalyst, and a temperature of around 60 degrees.

    Both hydration and hydrogenation are important processes in chemical synthesis, and they involve the opening up of a double bond in an organic compound by the addition of a substituent [

    Read more:

    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.