Question

Methylcyclopentene reacting with reacting with sulfuric acid and water

Answer 1

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:

1. The aqueous sulfuric acid generates hydronium ions
2. The nucleophilic π electrons attack an H atom  on the hydronium ion, forming a carbocation on the more substituted C atom.
3. The lone pair electrons on a water molecule attack the carbocation , forming an oxonium ion.
4. Another water molecule removes the extra proton.

The product is the alcohol with the OH group on the more substituted carbon — 1-methylcyclopentanol.