Alkenes undergo acid-catalyzed hydration in the presence of water and acid catalyst, forming alcohols. In the case of unsymmetrical alkenes, the addition follows Markovnikov’s rule.
How do alkenes undergo acid-catalyzed hydration to form alcohols, and what rule governs the addition in unsymmetrical alkenes?
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Alkenes undergo acid-catalyzed hydration by reacting with water in the presence of an acid catalyst, typically sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The acid donates a proton to the alkene, forming a carbocation intermediate. Water then attacks the carbocation, leading to the formation of an alcohol. In unsymmetrical alkenes, Markovnikov’s rule governs the addition, stating that the hydrogen atom from the acid adds to the carbon atom of the alkene with more hydrogen substituents, while the hydroxyl group adds to the carbon atom with fewer hydrogen substituents. This rule is based on stabilizing the intermediate carbocation through increased alkyl group substitution.