Problem- Acetylene reacts with acetic acid in the presence of H2SO4 and HgSO4 to yield vinyl acetate, a monomer used in the production of poly(vinyl acetate). The reaction mechanism includes the following steps:
1. Formation of a bridged mercurinium ion intermediate between Hg2+ and acetylene;
2. Addition of acetic acid to open the three-membered ring;
3. Proton transfer to solvent to give an organomercury vinyl ester;
4. Addition of H+ to the alkene to form a carbocation;
5. Expulsion of Hg2+ to form the alkene. Diagram the mechanism on a separate sheet of paper, and then draw the structure of the product(s) of step 1.
I just need a general explanation of it please- Thanks!