In acid-catalyzed hydration of an asymmetrical alkene, the hydroxyl group adds to which carbon in the major product?

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Multiple Choice

In acid-catalyzed hydration of an asymmetrical alkene, the hydroxyl group adds to which carbon in the major product?

Regioselectivity in acid-catalyzed hydration follows Markovnikov's rule: the hydroxyl group ends up on the more substituted carbon of the double bond. The double bond is first protonated to give the most stable carbocation. The proton adds to the carbon bearing more hydrogens (the less-substituted carbon), placing the positive charge on the more substituted carbon. Water then attacks this carbocation, and after deprotonation you obtain an alcohol where the OH is attached to the more substituted carbon. So the major product has the OH on the more substituted carbon.

Regioselectivity in acid-catalyzed hydration follows Markovnikov's rule: the hydroxyl group ends up on the more substituted carbon of the double bond. The double bond is first protonated to give the most stable carbocation. The proton adds to the carbon bearing more hydrogens (the less-substituted carbon), placing the positive charge on the more substituted carbon. Water then attacks this carbocation, and after deprotonation you obtain an alcohol where the OH is attached to the more substituted carbon. So the major product has the OH on the more substituted carbon.

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