Answer to Question #76223 in Organic Chemistry for Andrea

Question

The figure below shoes the formation of the mercurinium intermediate fro the addition of mercuric acetate to an alkene. There are two ways by which water can attack the intermediate. Draw the mechanism for both ways by using curved arrows to represent electron flow.

H3C/\\/\CH3 Hg(CH3COO)2 O
_____________> ||
H2O, THF / \
O CH3
|
Hg+ O
/___\ CH3 + O---//
/ \/ \
H3C CH3

Answer 1

Both carbon atoms in the intermediate are secondary. Two product are formes as waret can attact each of these atoms.

1)

2)