i. Alkenes react with cold concentrated sulphuric acid to form alkyl hydrogen sulphate (ROSO3H). The addition takes place according to Markovnikov’s rule as shown in the following steps.
ii. If alkyl hydrogen sulphate is diluted with water and heated, then an alcohol having the same alkyl group as the original alkyl hydrogen sulphate is obtained.
iii. This is an excellent method for the largescale manufacture of alcohols.
