In the follwoing double bond hydration reaction styrene wat

In the follwoing double bond hydration reaction: styrene + water (solvent) + H2SO4 (reagent) ----> 1-phenylethanol, what role does H2SO4 play?

a. it lowers the energy of activation.

b. it will deprotonate water.

c. it makes the reaction less exothermic.

d. it makest the reaction more exothermic.

I know that H2SO4 in this reaction catalyses the hydration of the double bond, but I do not fully understand why. I believe the answer is a, but would appreciate correction/and or explanation from someone with a better grasp of OChem! Thanks :)

Solution

a. it lowers the energy of activation

Once the H+ ion is attacking styrene, it will form a carbocation, it is an intermediate and its activation energy will be less when campred with the starting material.