Read the passage carefully and answer the Questions.

Alcohols and phenols are obtained when a hydrogen atom in aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons respectively, is replaced by - OH group. These compounds find wide applications in industry as well as in our daily life. You may notice that ordinary spirit is used for polishing wooden furniture which is chiefly a compound containing hydroxyl group. An alcohol contains one or more hydroxyl (OH) group(s) directly attached to carbon atom(s), of an aliphatic system ($CH_3OH$) while a phenol contains -OH group(s) directly attached to carbon atom(s) of an aromatic system ($C_6H_5OH$). Alcohols are prepared by the hydration of alkenes, fermentation of glucose, and reduction of carbonyl compounds. Alcohols produce alkenes upon dehydration whereas alkenes on acid catalyzed hydration convert into alcohols.

The product of the following reaction is

The correct answer is Option (3) → **

The alkene shown is propene ($CH_3-CH=CH_2$) and the reaction is acid-catalysed hydration ($H^+ / H_2O$).

Complete statement:

The product of the reaction is 2-propanol (isopropyl alcohol), $CH_3-CHOH-CH_3$.

Reasoning:

In acid-catalysed hydration, water adds to the double bond according to Markovnikov's rule. The hydrogen atom attaches to the carbon that already has more hydrogens, and the -OH group attaches to the more substituted carbon (the middle carbon in propene). This forms 2-propanol, a secondary alcohol.

So, the correct structure is $CH_3-CHOH-CH_3$.