In indirect hydration of alkenes, concentrated sulphuric acid is used to form ethyl hydrogensulphate. Why is the H2SO4 considered to be a molecule (ie. H-OSO3H)? Didn't it dissociate to form ions?
Thanks in advance =)
UltimaOnline
Only the 1st acidic proton is strong, not the second.
More importantly, protons dissociate from and associate with the conjugate bases rapidly all the time. It's dynamic.
The HSO4- ion is nucleophilic (since it is basic, albeit also simultaneously acidic), and hence can attack the carbocation intermediate.