Q58E - Organic Chemistry (Mcmurry)

Question

Carbocations, which contain a trivalent, positively charged carbon atom, react with water to give alcohols:

How can your account for the fact that the following carbocation gives a mixture of two alcohols in reaction with water?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Due to electronic displacement of 𝛑 bond

Step 1: Definition of Resonance

The structure which can be formed by the displacement of 𝛑 bonds is known as resonance structures.

                                              Resonance forms

These are the two structures that are present in the reaction mixture.

Step 2: Formation of two alcohols

Attack of nucleophile water on given carbocation led to the formation of the alcohol

                                  Formation of two alcohols

Step 3: Explanation of the fact

Due to the presence of the resonance structure on the given compound, it leads to the formation of two alcohols.