Question

Preparation of alcohols from alkenes involves the electrophilic attack on alkene carbon atom. Explain its mechanism.

Answer 1

Preparation of alcohols from alkenes involves the electrophilic attack on alkene carbon atoms.

The mechanism of this reaction involves the following three steps:

Step 1: Protonation of alkene to form carbocation by electrophilic attack of H3O+.

Step 2: Nucleophilic attack of water on carbocation.

Step 3: Deprotonation to form an alcohol.