Which step in the forward direction has the smallest rate constant in the mechanism for the acid-catalyzed hydration of an alkene?
1 Answer
The first step in the forward direction has the smallest rate constant in the mechanism for the acid-catalyzed hydration of an alkene.
See here for the mechanism.
Step 1 is slow because it involves the breaking of a π bond.
Step 2 is fast because it involves the formation of a covalent bond.
Step 3 is fast because it is an acid/base proton transfer.These are fast reactions.
