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

Explanation

Preparation of alcohols from alkene by the hydration of alkenes in presence of sulphuric acid.
`CH_(2)=CH_(2)+H_(2)O overset(H^(+))rarrCH_(3)CH_(2)OH`
This addition reaction takes place in accordance with Markownikoff's rule.
Mechanism The mechanism of the reaction involves the following three steps
Step 1 Protonation of alkene to form carbocation by electrophilic attack to `H_(3)^(+)O`.

Step 2 Attack of water molecule to the secondary carbocation.

Step 3 Loss of the hydrogen from the protonated alcohol.
`-overset(|)underset(|)(C)-overset(|)underset(|)(C)-overset(H)overset(| o+)(O)-H+H_(2)ddot(underset("..")(O))to-overset(H)overset(|)underset(|)(C)-overset(":"ddot(O)H)overset(|)underset(|)(C)-+H_(3)underset("..")(O^(o+))`