Electrophilic addition Flashcards
Electrophilic addition
An addition reaction in which the first step is attack by an electrophile on a region of high electron density.
Addition reaction
A reaction in which a reactant is added to an unsaturated molecule to make one saturated molecule.
Why are electrophiles attracted to alkenes?
The pi bonds cause there to be high electron densities above and below the plane.
What is a carbocation?
A positive charge on a carbon atom.
Markownicoff’s rule states that….
The most stable carbocation will form first.
Which is the most stable:
A primary, secondary or tertiary carbocation? Why?
A tertiary carbocation is the most stable because it has a greater number of alkyl groups which means the charge is more evenly spread (due to the electron donating ability of alkyl groups).
