Benzene has a molecular formula of $\ce{C6H6},$ right? Surely it has some alkene-like properties because of the double bonds, so can it undergo a hydration reaction to create alcohol?
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4$\begingroup$ Getting the double bonds in benzene to react like alkenes is possible, but also rather non-trivial, and steam will not do it. $\endgroup$– orthocresolCommented Jun 28, 2019 at 23:16
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1$\begingroup$ At what temperature? Probably well above the critical point of both. $\endgroup$– DrMoishe PippikCommented Jun 28, 2019 at 23:27
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2$\begingroup$ Benzene doesn't have double bonds. Each of the six carbon-carbon bonds is identical, somewhere between a single and a double bound. $\endgroup$– chepnerCommented Jun 29, 2019 at 15:47
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1 Answer
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Strange as it may seem, benzene can be reacted with steam over a suitable catalyst [1]. The result is a complete breakdown to simpler molecules like methane and carbon dioxide. Typical conditions are 0.055 atm partial pressure benzene, 0.60 atm partial pressure steam, and 370 °C temperature.
The cited reference also considers the breakdown of alkylbenzenes with steam under similar conditions.
Reference
- Masahiro Saito, Yoshio Sohda, Michiaki Tokuno, Yoshiro Morita, Reactions of Benzene or Alkylbenzenes with Steam over a Silica-Supported Nickel Catalyst, Bulletin of The Japan Petroleum Institute, 1972, Volume 14, Issue 1, Pages 54-63.
answered Jun 29, 2019 at 2:13