Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) is the catalyst for the reaction. Sulfuric acid will dissociate in solution to give H+ and HSO4-. The H+ will start the reaction. The 1-hexene\'s double bond will attack the H+ (proton) and then a carbocation will form. The MOST stable carbocation will form and here you have a choice between a primary and secondary carbocations. The more substituted a carbocation is then the more stable it will be and therefore the secondary carbocation forms. H2O (water) which is the solvent and the nucleophile will attack the carbocation. The intermediate species will have a formal charge of +1 and will lose a H+ (proton) to give a neutral species. The reaction is called acid catalyzed hydration of alkenes. H2SO4 is not too friendly and needs to be used in catalytic amounts probably a few drops. The reaction will be an instant reaction Solution Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) is the catalyst for the reaction. Sulfuric acid will dissociate in solution to give H+ and HSO4-. The H+ will start the reaction. The 1-hexene\'s double bond will attack the H+ (proton) and then a carbocation will form. The MOST stable carbocation will form and here you have a choice between a primary and secondary carbocations. The more substituted a carbocation is then the more stable it will be and therefore the secondary carbocation forms. H2O (water) which is the solvent and the nucleophile will attack the carbocation. The intermediate species will have a formal charge of +1 and will lose a H+ (proton) to give a neutral species. The reaction is called acid catalyzed hydration of alkenes. H2SO4 is not too friendly and needs to be used in catalytic amounts probably a few drops. The reaction will be an instant reaction.