Final answer:
The product of oxymercuration-demercuration is an alcohol, specifically RCH(OH)CH3, where the OH group adds to the more substituted carbon atom in a Markovnikov fashion. Option A
Step-by-step explanation:
The product of an oxymercuration-demercuration reaction typically involves the addition of water (H2O) across a carbon-carbon double bond in the presence of a mercuric acetate (Hg(OAc)2) catalyst, followed by demercuration to remove the mercury compound. This reaction selectively hydrates alkenes to form alcohols without the rearrangement that can occur with direct acid-catalyzed hydration.
The product, therefore, is RCH(OH)CH3, an alcohol where the OH group has added to the more substituted carbon in a Markovnikov fashion, without any remaining mercury in the product. During demercuration, typically sodium borohydride (NaBH4) or another reducing agent is used to replace the mercury with a hydrogen atom. Option A