How many intermediates are there in the mechanism for the acid-catalyzed hydration of an alkene?
1 Answer
Jun 28, 2015
There are two intermediates in the mechanism for the acid-catalyzed hydration of an alkene.
Explanation:
In Step 1, the
In Step 2, water attacks the carbocation and forms a protonated alcohol — the second intermediate.
In Step 3, water removes a proton from the oxonium ion and forms the product alcohol,
It is easy to identify the intermediates in a "progress of reaction" curve.
The intermediates correspond to the dips in the curve.