Understanding Chemistry

 

ELECTROPHILIC ADDITION MECHANISMS MENU

 

Addition to symmetrical alkenes

Covers addition to symmetrical alkenes like ethene and cyclohexene. A symmetrical alkene has the same groups attached to both ends of the carbon-carbon double bond.

What is electrophilic addition? . . .

An explanation of the terms addition and electrophile, together with a general mechanism for these reactions.

The reaction with hydrogen halides . . .

The mechanism for the reaction between ethene (and cyclohexene) and hydrogen halides (like hydrogen bromide).

The reaction with sulphuric acid . . .

The mechanism for the reaction between ethene (and cyclohexene) and sulphuric acid.

The reaction with bromine . . .

The mechanism for the reaction between ethene (and cyclohexene) and bromine.


Questions to test your understanding

If this is the first set of questions you have done, please read the introductory page before you start. You will need to use the BACK BUTTON on your browser to come back here afterwards.

These questions cover all of the work on electrophilic addition to symmetrical alkenes.

You will find questions on addition to unsymmetrical alkenes further down the page.

questions on electrophilic addition to symmetrical alkenes

answers


Addition to unsymmetrical alkenes

Covers addition to unsymmetrical alkenes like propene. An unsymmetrical alkene has different groups attached to each end of the carbon-carbon double bond.


Warning!  Don't even think about reading articles in this section until you are sure you understand the corresponding reaction(s) above!


Carbocations (carbonium ions) and their stability . . .

Essential pre-reading before you tackle anything else in this section.

Why unsymmetric alkenes are a problem . . .

Explains the reasons behind Markovnikov's Rule, and gives a general mechanism for these more awkward reactions. This is also essential reading before you look at specific reactions.

The reaction with hydrogen halides . . .

The mechanism for the reaction between propene and hydrogen halides (like hydrogen bromide).

The reaction with sulphuric acid . . .

The mechanism for the reaction between propene and sulphuric acid.

The reaction with bromine . . .

The mechanism for the reaction between propene and bromine.


Questions to test your understanding

These questions cover the work on electrophilic addition to unsymmetrical alkenes.

questions on electrophilic addition to unsymmetrical alkenes

answers


Go to menu of other types of mechanism. . .

Go to Main Menu . . .


You might also be interested in:

properties and reactions of alkenes . . .

A survey of all the physical and chemical properties of alkenes required by UK A level syllabuses.



© Jim Clark 2000 (last modified March 2013)