What is the product when an alkene is treated with water under acidic conditions (H2O/H+ and heat)?

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Multiple Choice

What is the product when an alkene is treated with water under acidic conditions (H2O/H+ and heat)?

Hydration of an alkene under acidic conditions adds water across the carbon–carbon double bond to form an alcohol. The acid protonates the double bond first, creating the more stable carbocation. Water then attacks this carbocation, giving an oxonium ion, which is deprotonated to yield the alcohol. Regioselectivity follows Markovnikov's rule: the hydroxyl ends up on the more substituted carbon in unsymmetrical alkenes. Heat helps drive the reaction forward. So the product is an alcohol.

Hydration of an alkene under acidic conditions adds water across the carbon–carbon double bond to form an alcohol. The acid protonates the double bond first, creating the more stable carbocation. Water then attacks this carbocation, giving an oxonium ion, which is deprotonated to yield the alcohol. Regioselectivity follows Markovnikov's rule: the hydroxyl ends up on the more substituted carbon in unsymmetrical alkenes. Heat helps drive the reaction forward. So the product is an alcohol.

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