Question

how to prepare 2-methylhexan-2-ol from 1-pentene?

Answer 1

There's a few ways to prepare this. You're going from 5C \(\rightarrow\) 6C.
I would start by making the 1-pentene into a nucleophile, So, react 1-pentene with a strong base to abstract a proton, something like NaNH\(_2\) or NaH?

Now, you have your nucleophile! Then, proceed via S\(_n\)2 type reaction with, say methyl chloride? Are you with me so far?