Identify the best reagents to accomplish a Markovnikov addition of water to an unsymmetrical alkene with minimal skeletal rearrangement. A) water and dilute acid B) water and concentrated acid C) 1. Hg(OAc)₂, H₂O 2. NaBH₄, NaOH D) 1. BH₃•THF 2. H₂O₂, NaOH E) 1. OsO₄, pyridine 2. NaHSO₃, H₂O

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Option C, which represents oxymercuration-demercuration (1. Hg(OAc)2, H2O 2. NaBH4, NaOH), is the best choice for achieving Markovnikov addition of water to an unsymmetrical alkene with minimal skeletal rearrangement. This method avoids carbocation rearrangement, leading to more predictable and cleaner outcomes.

Identify the Best Reagents to Accomplish a Markovnikov Addition of Water