Answer:
a) there are three transition states
b) there are two intermediates; carbocation and protonated alcohol
c) The first step in the forward direction
Step-by-step explanation:
The acid-catalysed hydration of alkenes proceeds via a carbocation mechanism.
Three transition states can be identified in this mechanism for the acid-catalyzed hydration of alkenes.
The three transition states are derived from the three steps in the reaction sequence:
1) Protonation of the alkene by hydronium ion
2) Addition of water to the carbocation
3) loss of a proton to yield the alcohol
The first step involves the breaking of a pi bond, hence it is a slow step hence it has the smallest rate constant. The other two steps are fast steps.