Question

Suppose I asked you to reverse this reaction?Tell me briefly how you would alter the reaction to favor the formation of norbornene from norborneol.Upon what famous Principle is this based?

Answer 1

In the reaction of norbornene to norborneol by the addition of sulfuric acid and water the reaction (hydration reaction) proceeds forward.

Since this reaction is a reversible reaction, The two reactions (hydration and dehydration) will be in equilibrium, the point of equilibria depending on the initial conditions.

Suppose if you were asked to reverse the reaction conditions to form norbornene from norborneol (this is dehydration reaction), you have to remove the water from the reaction and thereby make the sulfuric acid concentrated. This conditions favors the reverse reaction.

This is based on the famous Le Chatelier's principle, according to which if a constraint (such as a change in pressure, temperature, or concentration of a reactant) is applied to a system in equilibrium, the equilibrium will shift so as to tend to counteract the effect of the constraint.