Question
Explain Oxymercuration and demercuration.
Solution
Oxymercuration-demercuration: In this method alkene reacts with mercuric acetate in presence of water to form hydroxy mercurial compound, which on reaction with NaBH4 yield alcohol. The alcohol is formed according to Markovnikoff’s rule.

First step is oxymercuration and second step is demercuration.

First step is oxymercuration and second step is demercuration.