Question

What does anti‐Markovnikov additions indicate?

Answer 1

Markovnikov additions follow the predictions of Markovnikov's rule, which state that the carbon with more protons attached gets the proton, and then the molecule does whatever it takes to achieve a more stable carbocation intermediate if possible (such as a 1,2-hydride shift or a 1,2-alkyl shift), and the remaining other atom finishes off the addition reaction mechanism (such as `Br^(-)`).

Anti-Markovnikov is essentially the opposite. The carbon with less protons attached gets the proton, the molecule still does whatever it takes to achieve a more stable carbocation intermediate if possible (such as a 1,2-hydride shift or a 1,2-alkyl shift), and the remaining other atom finishes off the addition reaction mechanism (such as `Br^(-)`).