Science, Tech, Math › Science Hydration Reaction Definition Print A hydration reaction is a chemical reaction with water. Yaroslav Mikheev, Getty Images Science Chemistry Chemical Laws Basics Molecules Periodic Table Projects & Experiments Scientific Method Biochemistry Physical Chemistry Medical Chemistry Chemistry In Everyday Life Famous Chemists Activities for Kids Abbreviations & Acronyms Biology Physics Geology Astronomy Weather & Climate By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Chemistry Expert Ph.D., Biomedical Sciences, University of Tennessee at Knoxville B.A., Physics and Mathematics, Hastings College Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Learn about our Editorial Process Updated on July 10, 2019 A hydration reaction is a chemical reaction where a hydrogen and hydroxyl ion is attached to a carbon in a carbon double bond. Generally, one reactant (usually an alkene or alkyne) reacts with water to yield ethanol, isopropanol, or 2-butanol (all alcohols) are a product. Read More Dehydration Reaction Definition in Chemistry By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Formula and Example The general formula for a hydration reaction is:RRC=CH2 in acid → RRC(-OH)-CH3 An example is the hydration reaction of ethylene oxide to produce ethylene glycol: C2H4O + H2O → HO-CH2CH2-OH Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Hydration Reaction Definition." ThoughtCo, Aug. 29, 2020, thoughtco.com/definition-of-hydration-reaction-605220. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, August 29). Hydration Reaction Definition. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-hydration-reaction-605220 Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Hydration Reaction Definition." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-hydration-reaction-605220 (accessed April 19, 2024). copy citation