Final answer:
To begin drawing an acid-catalyzed hydration mechanism, write and balance the molecular equation, then establish the reactants and catalyst. This sets the stage for illustrating the protonation of the alkene and following reaction steps, including nucleophilic attack by water.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first step in drawing a mechanism for an acid-catalyzed hydration reaction is planning the problem. It involves writing and balancing the molecular equation, ensuring all chemical formulas are correct. Then, identify the reactants and reagents, such as the sulfuric acid used as an acid catalyst. In step one of the mechanism, you must depict the protonation of the alkene to form a more stable carbocation intermediate, making the alkene more susceptible to the nucleophilic attack by water.
Next, write the ionic equation, showing all aqueous substances as ions and carrying through any coefficients. Eliminating spectator ions will allow you to write the net ionic equation. Remember, water acts as a nucleophile in this reaction and the hydration of alkene results in the addition of a water molecule to the double bond of an alkene.
It is important to sketch the molecules and their bonds clearly to represent the step-by-step sequence of the reaction. This includes showing both bond-breaking and bond-making processes that occur during the reaction.