Electrophilic Addition (AQA A Level Chemistry): Revision Note

Mechanism: Electrophilic Addition

Electrophilic addition

• Alkenes undergo electrophilic addition reactions

• In an electrophilic addition reaction, two reactants form only one product

  • So, electrophilic addition reactions will have a 100% atom economy

• It is the double bond in an alkene which makes them so reactive

• The C=C double bond is an electron-rich area of the molecule which is readily attacked by positively charged electrophiles

• Alkenes will undergo electrophilic addition reactions with hydrogen halides, halogens and concentrated sulfuric acid with steam

General mechanism for Electrophilic Addition

Electrophilic addition of hydrogen halides or halogens at room temperatures to alkenes results in the formation of halogenoalkanes

• When the reaction takes place with an asymmetrical alkene, then you need to determine which product will form

• This depends on the stability of the carbocation formed as the intermediate

• The stability of carbon carbocations is as follows:

  • Tertiary > secondary > primary

• The major product formed will be from the intermediate with the more stable carbocation, but some of the product from the less stable carbocation intermediate will also form

• In the mechanism above, the secondary halogenoalkane is the major product, because a secondary carbocation is more stable than a primary carbocation