Question 1
Question detail
Explain the formation of a carbocation during the electrophilic addition of hydrogen bromide to an alkene.
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Question
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Topic
Alkenes
Question
Explain the formation of a carbocation during the electrophilic addition of hydrogen bromide to an alkene.
Answer
When hydrogen bromide (HBr) adds to an alkene, the double bond breaks, and a carbocation is formed. The more stable carbocation is formed at the carbon with more alkyl groups attached, as they donate electron density and stabilize the positive charge.
Explanation
This answer demonstrates understanding of carbocation stability and formation during electrophilic addition reactions. It tests the student's ability to connect the structure of alkenes with the reactivity of electrophiles.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Carbocation Stability
Students often confuse the stability of carbocations, thinking that all carbocations are equally stable regardless of their structure.
To explain carbocation stability, remember that tertiary carbocations are more stable than secondary, which are more stable than primary. This is due to the inductive effect and hyperconjugation from surrounding alkyl groups. For example, a tertiary carbocation (R3C+) is stabilized by three alkyl groups donating electron density, while a primary carbocation (RCH2+) is only stabilized by one. Thus, when predicting the major product of an electrophilic addition reaction, consider the stability of the carbocation formed during the reaction.
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