Answer:
The product is 1-methylcyclopentanol
Explanation:
The acid-catalyzed hydration of alkenes involves the addition of a water molecule to a C=C double bond.
H₂O + C=C ⟶ H-C-C-OH
An H atom adds to one of the C atoms, and an OH group adds to the other
This reaction follows Markovnikov’s rule — the H adds to the C atom that has more hydrogen atoms, and the OH adds to the more substituted carbon.
The steps of the mechanism are:
- The aqueous sulfuric acid generates hydronium ions
- The nucleophilic π electrons attack an H atom on the hydronium ion, forming a carbocation on the more substituted C atom.
- The lone pair electrons on a water molecule attack the carbocation , forming an oxonium ion.
- Another water molecule removes the extra proton.
The product is the alcohol with the OH group on the more substituted carbon — 1-methylcyclopentanol.
