Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Acid-Catalyzed Hydration
Acid-catalyzed hydration is a reaction where water adds to an alkene in the presence of an acid, typically sulfuric acid (H2SO4). The acid protonates the alkene, forming a more stable carbocation intermediate, which then reacts with water to form an alcohol. This mechanism is crucial for understanding how alkenes can be converted into alcohols through hydration.
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Acid-catalyzed hydration mechanism
Carbocation Stability
Carbocation stability is a key concept in organic chemistry that refers to the relative stability of positively charged carbon species. Carbocations are stabilized by alkyl groups through hyperconjugation and inductive effects. Understanding the stability of different carbocations helps predict the major products of reactions involving carbocation intermediates, such as in the hydration of alkenes.
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Markovnikov's Rule
Markovnikov's Rule states that in the addition of HX to an alkene, the hydrogen atom will attach to the carbon with the greater number of hydrogen atoms already attached, while the halide (or hydroxyl group in hydration) will attach to the carbon with fewer hydrogen atoms. This rule helps predict the regioselectivity of reactions involving alkenes, guiding the formation of the more stable product.
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