Oxymercuration demercuration reaction help.

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Homework Statement

See attachment there is reaction.why --OH attach to 2^nd carbon. why not it attach first carbon(from left).

Homework Equations

steric hindrance

The Attempt at a Solution

there seems greater steric hindrance in right carbon(2^nd from left) than left one.

 

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Homework Statement

See attachment there is reaction.why --OH attach to 2^nd carbon. why not it attach first carbon(from left).

Homework Equations

steric hindrance

The Attempt at a Solution

there seems greater steric hindrance in right carbon(2^nd from left) than left one.

Sterics is not really a factor with this type of a reaction, it is electrophillic addtion, which takes place around the planar sp2 alkene. If a carbocation were formed, a methyl shift would most likely result in the OH moving to the 3 degree carbon, however, the mercuration reaction proceeds via a ring transition state, no carbocation is formed.