Final answer:
The reactivity of alkenes toward acid-catalyzed hydration can be ranked based on their ability to undergo addition of a water molecule to the C=C bond.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reactivity of alkenes toward acid-catalyzed hydration can be ranked based on their ability to undergo addition of a water molecule to the C=C bond. The reactivity increases with the presence of electron-donating groups and decreases with the presence of electron-withdrawing groups.
The following order represents the reactivity of alkenes toward acid-catalyzed hydration:
- Alkenes with electron-donating groups, such as alkyl groups (-R) or alkoxide groups (-OR)
- Conjugated alkenes
- Alkenes with no substituents
- Alkenes with electron-withdrawing groups, such as halogens (-Cl, -Br, -I)