In acid catalysed hydration of alkenes, reaction intermediate formed is

Options

A. Free radical
B. Carbocation
C. Carbanion
D. Carbene

Answer

To solve the question regarding the reaction intermediate formed in acid-catalyzed hydration of alkenes, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Reaction**:
The reaction in question is the acid-catalyzed hydration of alkenes. This process involves the addition of water (H₂O) across the double bond of an alkene in the presence of an acid.

2. **Understand the Role of the Acid**:
The acid (often H₂SO₄ or HCl) donates a proton (H⁺) to the alkene. This protonation of the alkene leads to the formation of a more stable carbocation intermediate.

3. **Formation of the Carbocation**:
When the alkene (e.g., ethene) is protonated, one of the carbon atoms of the double bond becomes positively charged. This occurs because the double bond breaks and one of the carbons forms a bond with the H⁺ ion, resulting in a carbocation. The other carbon now has a positive charge due to the loss of the double bond.

4. **Nucleophilic Attack by Water**:
The next step involves water (acting as a nucleophile) attacking the positively charged carbon of the carbocation. This leads to the formation of an alcohol.

5. **Final Product**:
After the nucleophilic attack, the final product is formed, which is an alcohol. In the case of ethene, the product would be ethanol.

### Conclusion:
The reaction intermediate formed in the acid-catalyzed hydration of alkenes is a **carbocation**.

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