Conversion of Ethylene into ethylene glycol

Explanation

To convert ethylene (C2H4) into ethylene glycol (C2H6O2), we can follow a two-step process involving oxidation and hydrolysis. Here’s the step-by-step solution:

### Step 1: Oxidation of Ethylene
1. **React Ethylene with Oxygen**: The first step involves the oxidation of ethylene. Ethylene reacts with oxygen (O2) in the presence of a catalyst, typically silver oxide (Ag2O), to form an intermediate compound known as an epoxide.
- **Reaction**:
\[ C_2H_4 + O_2 \xrightarrow{Ag_2O} C_2H_4O \]
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