Answer:
CH₃CH == CH₂ + H₂O → H⁺ → CH₃CH(OH)CH₃ + H⁺
The reaction of propene and water in acidic medium produces isopropyl alcohol.
Explanation:
Let's propose the following reaction:
Propene + H₂O in H⁺ medium → Alcohol
CH₃CH == CH₂ + H⁺ → CH₃C⁺CH₂
Electrons from the double bond attack the proton. So the double bond is broken and you form a carbocation.
Carbocation will be attacked by the electrons from the oxygen on the molecule of water.
CH₃C⁺CH₂ + H₂O: : → CH₃ _CH _ CH₃
|
⁺OHH
It is called electrophilic addition cause the proton which is the electrophile is added to the sp₂ carbon in the alkene (where many H are bonded), and the nucleophile, water is added to the other sp₂ carbon.
This last attack is so fast that the carbocation is combined with any nucleophile which it collides first. In the hydration reaction, there are two nucleophiles: water and the anion from the acid (let's think Cl⁻, cause our medium can be HCl). The product of this collision is a protonated alcohol. Since we know that protonated alcohols are very strong acids, this protonated alcohol loses a proton, and the end product of the addition reaction is an alcohol.
In the first step, a proton adds to the alkene, but is returned to the reaction mixture during the final step, when the alcohol is deprotonated.
CH₃ _CH _ CH₃ → CH₃ _CH _ CH₃ + H⁺
| |
⁺OHH OH
