Can you illustrate Markownikow's rule in the context of hydrohalogenation of olefins?

1 Answer
May 16, 2017

Is there a question here?

Explanation:

"Markownikow addition" describes the general preference of unsymmetrical olefins towards addition of hydrogen halides.

i.e. RCH=CH_2 + HXrarrRCH_2CH_2X

"To him that hath hydrogen shall be given hydrogen....."

This reflects the stability of the secondary carbocation as compared to the primary carbocation:

XH+ RCH=CH_2 rarr Rstackrel(+)CH-CH_3 +X^-

VERSUS

XH+ RCH=CH_2 rarr RCH_2-stackrel(+)CH_2 +X^-