Conversion of Ethyne into Ethanol:
The ethanal can be prepared by the ethyne by treating the ethyne with mercuric sulphate in presence of acid. First the mercury attacks on the reactant ethyne and forms a cyclic structure. Then water attacks on this cyclic structure forming a mercury cation. Then by the removal of hydride alcohol forms.
Hydration of Ethyne:
Alkynes readily combine with water in the presence of acid (usually sulfuric acid) and mercury(II) salts (usually the sulfate is used) to form carbonyl compounds, in a process known as Kucherov's reaction. In the case of acetylene (ethyne) the product is acetaldehyde (ethanal), while other alkynes form ketones.