Electrophilic addition reactions can occur in compounds containing pi bonds like the alkenes. These reactions happen in slightly different ways, however. Hydrogenation is the addition of H 2 to a multiple bond. Action of Haloacids on Symmetric Alkenes: The addition of halogen acids like HCl, HBr or HI to a compound containing multiple bond is known as hydrohalogenation. Most carbocations are too reactive to be isolated except under special circumstances. Here, HBr will become the electrophile. The relationship between reactants and products in addition reactions can be illustrated by the hydrogenation of alkenes to yield alkanes. In the previous post, we talked about the Markovnikov’s rule and learned that in the addition reaction of HX to an unsymmetrical alkene, the H adds to the carbon that already has the greater number of hydrogen atoms. . Here, we will discuss the addition reactions of alkenes. A B C C A C C B 6.21 INTRODUCTION TO ORGANIC CHEMICAL SYNTHESIS. A hydrogen atom joins to one of the carbon atoms originally in the double bond, and a halogen atom to the other. It is not a biological reaction, but nonetheless can serve as a convenient model to introduce some of the most important ideas about electrophilic reactions. Let's look at the reaction of hydrogen bromine (HBr) and propene (C_3H_6). 9.2: Addition of Hydrogen Halides to Symmetrical Alkenes Or, looking from the perspective of the X group, we can say that the X atom (or group) adds to the carbon that already has the greater number of carbon atoms: This is the regiochemistry of the reaction as it shows why one regioisomer (constitutional isomer) is formed preferentially over the other … Depending on the structure of the alkene and the specific reagents, the reactions can be regioselective and/or stereoselective. See image A. For example, with ethene and hydrogen chloride, you get chloroethane: Figure 7.7.1 Electrophilic addition of HCl to ethene. . An example is the reaction of hydrogen with ethylene to form ethane. Since the hydrogen in HBr is s… For example, with ethene and hydrogen chloride, you get chloroethane: Addition of Hydrogen Halides to Alkenes All alkenes undergo addition reactions with the hydrogen halides. In an addition reaction, two compounds come together to form one larger compound. Alkenes undergo addition reactions. These electrons are loosely held, being high in energy compared to σ-bonds. Bromine hogs the electrons in the HBr bond, thus making the hydrogen slightly positive and the bromine slightly negative. A hydrogen atom joins to one of the carbon atoms originally in the double bond, and a halogen atom to the other. The order of reactivity is HI > HBr > HCl. Addition of H B r to alkenes The simplest type of electrophilic reaction to visualize is the addition of a haloacid such as H B r to an isolated alkene. The carbocations involved in hydrogen halide addition to alkenes are examples of reactive intermediates or unstable intermediates: species that react so rapidly that they never accu-mulate in more than very low concentration. . Often, they add a proton to one end of the double bond and another group to the other end. . Alkenes react with halogen acid to form corresponding alkyl halide. Alkenes are reactive because they have a high-lying pair of π-bonding electrons. . Let's take a look at a few examples so you can see what an addition reaction looks like. All alkenes undergo addition reactions with the hydrogen halides.