CHAPTER 6
REACTIONS OF ALKENES:
ADDITION REACTIONS
SOLUTIONS TO TEXT PROBLEMS
6.1 Catalytic hydrogenation converts an alkene to an alkane having the same carbon skeleton. Since
2-methylbutane is the product of hydrogenation, all three alkenes must have a four-carbon chain
with a one-carbon branch. The three alkenes are therefore:
6.2 The most highly substituted double bond is the most stable and has the smallest heat of hydrogenation.
2-Methyl-2-butene:
most stable
(trisubstituted)
112 kJ/mol
(26.7 kcal/mol)
2-Methyl-1-butene
(disubstituted)
118 kJ/mol
(28.2 kcal/mol)
3-Methyl-1-butene
(monosubstituted)
126 kJ/mol
(30.2 kcal/mol)
Heat of hydrogenation:
2-Methyl-1-butene
2-Methyl-2-butene 2-Methylbutane
3-Methyl-1-butene
H
2
metal
catalyst
124
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6.3 (b) Begin by writing out the structure of the starting alkene. Identify the doubly bonded carbon
that has the greater number of attached hydrogens; this is the one to which the proton of hy-
drogen chloride adds. Chlorine adds to the carbon atom of the double bond that has the fewer
attached hydrogens.
By applying Markovnikov’s rule, we see that the major product is 2-chloro-2-methylbutane.
(c) Regioselectivity of addition is not an issue here, because the two carbons of the double bond
are equivalent in cis-2-butene. Hydrogen chloride adds to cis-2-butene to give 2-chlorobutane.
(d) One end of the double bond has no attached hydrogens, but the other end has one. In
accordance with Markovnikov’s rule, the proton of hydrogen chloride adds to the carbon that
already has one hydrogen. The product is 1-chloro-1-ethylcyclohexane.
6.4 (b) A proton is transferred to the terminal carbon atom of 2-methyl-1-butene so as to produce a
tertiary carbocation.
This is the carbocation that leads to the observed product, 2-chloro-2-methylbutane.
(c) A secondary carbocation is an intermediate in the reaction of cis-2-butene with hydrogen
chloride.
Capture of this carbocation by chloride gives 2-chlorobutane.
HClCC
H
3
H
3
HH
cis-2-Butene Hydrogen
chloride
Secondary carbocation Chloride
H11001 Cl
H11002
C
H
3
C
H
CH
2
CH
3
H11001
H11001
CC
H
3
C
CH
3
CH
2
H
HCl
H
2-Methyl-1-butene Hydrogen
chloride
Tertiary carbocation Chloride
H11001 CCl
H11002
CH
3
CH
2
CH
3
CH
3
H11001
H11001
Hydrogen
chloride
Ethylidenecyclohexane 1-Chloro-1-ethylcyclohexane
H11001 HClCH
3
CH
CH
3
CH
2
Cl
CC
H
3
H
3
HH
cis-2-Butene Hydrogen
chloride
2-Chlorobutane
H11001 HCl CH
3
CH
2
CHCH
3
Cl
CC
H
3
C
H
H
CH
3
CH
2
2-Methyl-1-butene 2-Chloro-2-methylbutane
Chlorine adds to
this carbon.
Hydrogen adds to
this carbon.
HCl
CH
3
CH
2
CCH
3
Cl
CH
3
REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS 125
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126 REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS
(d) A tertiary carbocation is formed by protonation of the double bond.
This carbocation is captured by chloride to give the observed product, 1-chloro-1-
ethylcyclohexane.
6.5 The carbocation formed by protonation of the double bond of 3,3-dimethyl-1-butene is secondary.
Methyl migration can occur to give a more stable tertiary carbocation.
The two chlorides are 3-chloro-2,2-dimethylbutane and 2-chloro-2,3-dimethylbutane.
6.6 The structure of allyl bromide (3-bromo-1-propene) is CH
2
?CHCH
2
Br. Its reaction with hydrogen
bromide in accordance with Markovnikov’s rule proceeds by addition of a proton to the doubly
bonded carbon that has the greater number of attached hydrogens.
Addition according to Markovnikov’s rule:
Addition of hydrogen bromide opposite to Markovnikov’s rule leads to 1,3-dibromopropane.
Addition contrary to Markovnikov’s rule:
Allyl bromide
CHCH
2
BrCH
2
H11001
Hydrogen
bromide
HBr
1,3-Dibromopropane
BrCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
Br
Allyl bromide
CHCH
2
BrCH
2
H11001
Hydrogen
bromide
HBr
1,2-Dibromopropane
CH
3
CHCH
2
Br
Br
3,3-Dimethyl-1-butene Secondary carbocation Tertiary carbocation
CH
2
CH
3
CCH
CH
3
CH
3
HCl
Cl
H11002
Cl
H11002
methyl
migration
CHCH
3
CH
3
C
CH
3
CH
3
H11001
3-Chloro-2,2-dimethylbutane
CHCH
3
CH
3
C
CH
3
Cl
CH
3
CHCH
3
CH
3
C
CH
3
CH
3
H11001
2-Chloro-2,3-dimethylbutane
CHCH
3
CH
3
C
CH
3
CH
3
Cl
CH
3
CH
H
Cl
Cl
H11002
CH
3
CH
2
H11001
H11001
Tertiary cation Chloride
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6.7 (b) Hydrogen bromide adds to 2-methyl-1-butene in accordance with Markovnikov’s rule when
peroxides are absent. The product is 2-bromo-2-methylbutane.
The opposite regioselectivity is observed when peroxides are present. The product is
1-bromo-2-methylbutane.
(c) Both ends of the double bond in cis-2-butene are equivalently substituted, so that the same
product (2-bromobutane) is formed by hydrogen bromide addition regardless of whether the
reaction is carried out in the presence of peroxides or in their absence.
(d) A tertiary bromide is formed on addition of hydrogen bromide to ethylidenecyclohexane in the
absence of peroxides.
The regioselectivity of addition is reversed in the presence of peroxides, and the product is
(1-bromoethyl)cyclohexane.
6.8 The first step is the addition of sulfuric acid to give cyclohexyl hydrogen sulfate.
Cyclohexene Cyclohexyl hydrogen sulfate
H
2
SO
4
OSO
2
OH
Hydrogen
bromide
Ethylidenecyclohexane (1-Bromoethyl)cyclohexane
H11001 HBrCH
3
CH CH
3
CH
Br
peroxides
Hydrogen
bromide
Ethylidenecyclohexane 1-Bromo-1-ethylcyclohexane
H11001 HBrCH
3
CH
CH
3
CH
2
Br
2-BromobutaneHydrogen
bromide
cis-2-Butene
CH
3
CH
2
CHCH
3
Br
CC
H
CH
3
H
CH
3
H11001 HBr
1-Bromo-2-methylbutane Hydrogen
bromide
2-Methyl-1-butene
CH
3
CH
2
CCH
2
Br
H
CH
3
CC
CH
3
CH
2
CH
3
H
H
H11001 HBr
peroxides
2-Bromo-2-methylbutane Hydrogen
bromide
2-Methyl-1-butene
CH
3
CH
2
CCH
3
Br
CH
3
CC
CH
3
CH
2
CH
3
H
H
H11001 HBr
REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS 127
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6.9 The presence of hydroxide ion in the second step is incompatible with the medium in which the re-
action is carried out. The reaction as shown in step 1
is performed in acidic solution. There are, for all practical purposes, no hydroxide ions in aqueous
acid, the strongest base present being water itself. It is quite important to pay attention to the species
that are actually present in the reaction medium whenever you formulate a reaction mechanism.
6.10 The more stable the carbocation, the faster it is formed. The more reactive alkene gives a tertiary
carbocation in the rate-determining step.
6.11 The mechanism of electrophilic addition of hydrogen chloride to 2-methylpropene as outlined in
text Section 6.6 proceeds through a carbocation intermediate. This mechanism is the reverse of the
E1 elimination. The E2 mechanism is concerted—it does not involve an intermediate.
6.12 (b) The carbon–carbon double bond is symmetrically substituted in cis-2-butene, and so the
regioselectivity of hydroboration–oxidation is not an issue. Hydration of the double bond
gives 2-butanol.
(c) Hydroboration–oxidation of alkenes is a method that leads to hydration of the double bond
with a regioselectivity opposite to Markovnikov’s rule.
(d) Hydroboration–oxidation of cyclopentene gives cyclopentanol.
(e) When alkenes are converted to alcohols by hydroboration–oxidation, the hydroxyl group is
introduced at the less substituted carbon of the double bond.
1. hydroboration
2. oxidation
3-Ethyl-2-pentanol
C(CH
2
CH
3
)
2
CH
3
CH
3-Ethyl-2-pentene
CH
3
CHCH(CH
2
CH
3
)
2
OH
2. oxidation
1. hydroboration
Cyclopentene Cyclopentanol
OH
CH
2
CH
2
OH
H
2. oxidation
1. hydroboration
CyclobutylmethanolMethylenecyclobutane
2-Butanol cis-2-Butene
CH
3
CHCH
2
CH
3
OH
CC
H
H
3
C
H
CH
3
1. hydroboration
2. oxidation
CHCH
3
Protonation of gives a secondary carbocation.CH
C
CH
3
CH
2
H
3
O
H11001
C
H11001
CH
3
CH
3
Tertiary carbocation
CH
2
1. (CH
3
)
2
C H11001 H
3
O
H11001
(CH
3
)
3
C
H11001
H11001 H
2
O
128 REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS
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( f ) The less substituted carbon of the double bond in 3-ethyl-1-pentene is at the end of the chain.
It is this carbon that bears the hydroxyl group in the product of hydroboration–oxidation.
6.13 The bottom face of the double bond of H9251-pinene is less hindered than the top face.
Syn addition of H and OH takes place and with a regioselectivity opposite to that of Markovnikov’s
rule.
6.14 Bromine adds anti to the double bond of 1-bromocyclohexene to give 1,1,2-tribromocyclohexane.
The radioactive bromines (
82
Br) are vicinal and trans to each other.
6.15 Alkyl substituents on the double bond increase the reactivity of the alkene toward addition of
bromine.
6.16 (b) Bromine becomes bonded to the less highly substituted carbon of the double bond, the
hydroxyl group to the more highly substituted one.
(c)
(CH
3
)
2
CHCH CH
2
Br
2
H
2
O
(CH
3
)
2
CHCHCH
2
Br
OH
1-Bromo-3-methyl-2-butanol3-Methyl-1-butene
(CH
3
)
2
C CHCH
3
Br
2
H
2
O
(CH
3
)
2
CCHCH
3
HO
Br
3-Bromo-2-methyl-2-butanol2-Methyl-2-butene
H
2-Methyl-2-butene
(trisubstituted double bond; most reactive)
H
H
H
3-Methyl-1-butene
(monosubstituted double bond; least reactive)
H
H
2-Methyl-1-butene
(disubstituted double bond)
82
Br
82
Br
Br
H
1,1,2-Tribromocyclohexane
Br
H
1-Bromocyclohexene Bromine
H11001
82
Br
82
Br
H
3
C
CH
3
CH
3
H
1. B
2
H
6
2. H
2
O
2
, HO
H11002
H
3
C
CH
3
CH
3
H
H
HO
Hydroboration occurs
from this direction.
Methyl group
shields top face.
This H comes
from B
2
H
6
.
1. hydroboration
2. oxidation
CHCH(CH
2
CH
3
)
2
H
2
C
3-Ethyl-1-pentanol 3-Ethyl-1-pentene
HOCH
2
CH
2
CH(CH
2
CH
3
)
2
REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS 129
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(d) Anti addition occurs.
6.17 The structure of disparlure is as shown.
Its longest continuous chain contains 18 carbon atoms, and so it is named as an epoxy derivative of
octadecane. Number the chain in the direction that gives the lowest number to the carbons that bear
oxygen. Thus, disparlure is cis-2-methyl-7,8-epoxyoctadecane.
6.18 Disparlure can be prepared by epoxidation of the corresponding alkene. Cis alkenes yield cis epox-
ides upon epoxidation. cis-2-Methyl-7-octadecene is therefore the alkene chosen to prepare dispar-
lure by epoxidation.
6.19 The products of ozonolysis are formaldehyde and 4,4-dimethyl-2-pentanone.
The two carbons that were doubly bonded to each other in the alkene become the carbons that
are doubly bonded to oxygen in the products of ozonolysis. Therefore, mentally remove the
oxygens and connect these two carbons by a double bond to reveal the structure of the starting
alkene.
6.20 From the structural formula of the desired product, we see that it is a vicinal bromohydrin. Vicinal
bromohydrins are made from alkenes by reaction with bromine in water.
BrCH
2
C(CH
3
)
2
OH
is made from C(CH
3
)
2
CH
2
CC
H
H CH
3
CH
2
C(CH
3
)
3
2,4,4-Trimethyl-1-pentene
CO
H
H
CO
CH
3
CH
2
C(CH
3
)
3
4,4-Dimethyl-2-pentanoneFormaldehyde
HH
cis-2-Methyl-7-octadecene
OHH
Disparlure
peroxy acid
OHH
H
Br
OH
CH
3
H
CH
3
H
2
O
Br
2
trans-2-Bromo-
1-methylcyclopentanol
1-Methylcyclopentene
130 REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS
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Since the starting material given is tert-butyl bromide, a practical synthesis is:
6.21 Catalytic hydrogenation of the double bond converts 2,4,4-trimethyl-1-pentene and 2,4,4-trimethyl-
2-pentene to 2,2,4-trimethylpentane.
6.22 This problem illustrates the reactions of alkenes with various reagents and requires application of
Markovnikov’s rule to the addition of unsymmetrical electrophiles.
(a) Addition of hydrogen chloride to 1-pentene will give 2-chloropentane.
(b) Electrophilic addition of hydrogen bromide will give 2-bromopentane.
(c) The presence of peroxides will cause free-radical addition of hydrogen bromide, and regiose-
lective addition opposite to Markovnikov’s rule will be observed.
(d) Hydrogen iodide will add according to Markovnikov’s rule.
(e) Dilute sulfuric acid will cause hydration of the double bond with regioselectivity in accord
with Markovnikov’s rule.
CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
3
H
2
OH11001H
2
C CH
3
CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
3
2-Pentanol
H
2
SO
4
OH
CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
3
HIH11001H
2
C CH
3
CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
3
2-Iodopentane
I
CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
3
HBrH11001H
2
C BrCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH
3
1-Bromopentane
peroxides
CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
3
HBrH11001H
2
C CH
3
CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
3
Br
2-Bromopentane
CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
3
HClH11001H
2
C CH
3
CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
3
Cl
2-Chloropentane1-Pentene
orC
H
H CH
2
C(CH
3
)
3
(CH
3
)
2
CHCH
2
C(CH
3
)
3
CH
3
C
2,4,4-Trimethyl-1-pentene 2,2,4-Trimethylpentane
C
C(CH
3
)
3
H
3
CH
H
3
C
C
2,4,4-Trimethyl-2-pentene
H
2
, Pt
(CH
3
)
3
CBr (CH
3
)
2
CCH
2
Br
OH
(CH
3
)
2
CCH
2
NaOCH
2
CH
3
CH
3
CH
2
OH
heat
Br
2
H
2
O
1-Bromo-2-methyl-2-propanol2-Methylpropenetert-Butyl bromide
REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS 131
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( f ) Hydroboration–oxidation of an alkene brings about hydration of the double bond opposite to
Markovnikov’s rule; 1-pentanol will be the product.
(g) Bromine adds across the double bond to give a vicinal dibromide.
(h) Vicinal bromohydrins are formed when bromine in water adds to alkenes. Br adds to the less
substituted carbon, OH to the more substituted one.
(i) Epoxidation of the alkene occurs on treatment with peroxy acids.
( j) Ozone reacts with alkenes to give ozonides.
(k) When the ozonide in part ( j) is hydrolyzed in the presence of zinc, formaldehyde and butanal
are formed.
6.23 When we compare the reactions of 2-methyl-2-butene with the analogous reactions of 1-pentene, we
find that the reactions proceed in a similar manner.
(a)
(b)
(c) CHCH
3
HBrH11001(CH
3
)
2
C (CH
3
)
2
CHCHCH
3
2-Bromo-3-methylbutane
Br
peroxides
CHCH
3
HBrH11001(CH
3
)
2
C (CH
3
)
2
CCH
2
CH
3
2-Bromo-2-methylbutane
Br
CHCH
3
HClH11001(CH
3
)
2
C (CH
3
)
2
CCH
2
CH
3
2-Chloro-2-methylbutane2-Methyl-2-butene
Cl
H11001HCH
O
Formaldehyde
HCCH
2
CH
2
CH
3
O
Butanal
H
2
O
Zn
H
2
C
OO
CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
3
O
CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
3
O
3
H11001H
2
C
Ozonide
H
2
C
OO
CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
3
O
1,2-Epoxypentane Acetic acid
CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
3
H
2
C H11001 CH
3
CO
2
OH H11001 CH
3
CO
2
HCHCH
2
CH
2
CH
3
H
2
C
O
CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
3
H
2
O
H
2
C
1-Bromo-2-pentanol
H11001 Br
2
BrCH
2
CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
3
OH
CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
3
CCl
4
H
2
C
1,2-Dibromopentane
H11001 Br
2
BrCH
2
CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
3
Br
CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
3
1. B
2
H
6
2. H
2
O
2
, HO
H11002H
2
C
1-Pentanol
HOCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH
3
132 REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS
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(d)
(e)
.
( f )
(g)
(h)
(i)
( j)
(k)
6.24 Cycloalkenes undergo the same kinds of reactions as do noncyclic alkenes.
(a)
(b)
CH
3
H11001 HBr
1-Bromo-1-methylcyclohexane
CH
3
Br
CH
3
H11001 HCl
CH
3
Cl
1-Methylcyclohexene 1-Chloro-1-methylcyclohexane
CH
3
CCH
3
HCCH
3
H11001
H
2
O
Zn
O O
Acetone Acetaldehyde
OO
O
H
H
3
C
CH
3
H
3
C
CHCH
3
O
3
H11001(CH
3
)
2
C
OO
O
HH
3
C
CH
3
H
3
C
Ozonide
CHCH
3
CH
3
CO
2
OHH11001 CH
3
CO
2
HH11001(CH
3
)
2
C CHCH
3
(CH
3
)
2
C
O
2-Methyl-2,3-epoxybutane
CHCH
3
Br
2
H11001(CH
3
)
2
C (CH
3
)
2
CCHCH
3
3-Bromo-2-methyl-2-butanol
OH
Br
H
2
O
CHCH
3
Br
2
H11001(CH
3
)
2
C (CH
3
)
2
CCHCH
3
2,3-Dibromo-2-methylbutane
Br
Br
CCl
4
CHCH
3
(CH
3
)
2
C (CH
3
)
2
CHCHCH
3
3-Methyl-2-butanol
OH
1. B
2
H
6
2. H
2
O
2
, HO
H11002
CHCH
3
H
2
OH11001(CH
3
)
2
C (CH
3
)
2
CCH
2
CH
3
2-Methyl-2-butanol
OH
H
2
SO
4
CHCH
3
HIH11001(CH
3
)
2
C (CH
3
)
2
CCH
2
CH
3
2-Iodo-2-methylbutane
I
REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS 133
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(c)
(d)
(e)
( f )
(g)
(h)
(i)
( j)
(k)
H
O
O
CH
3
O
O
O
CH
3
H
2
O
Zn
H11013 CH
3
CCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH
O O
6-Oxoheptanal
O
O
O
CH
3
CH
3
O
3
H11001
Ozonide
O
CH
3
CH
3
CH
3
CO
2
OHH11001 CH
3
CO
2
HH11001
1,2-Epoxy-1-methylcyclohexane
CH
3
Br
2
H11001
trans-2-Bromo-1-
methylcyclohexanol
H
2
O
OH
CH
3
Br
CH
3
Br
2
H11001
trans-1,2-Dibromo-1-
methylcyclohexane
Br
CH
3
Br
CCl
4
CH
3
trans-2-Methylcyclohexanol
CH
3
H
OH
1. B
2
H
6
2. H
2
O
2
, HO
H11002
CH
3
H11001 H
2
O
1-Methylcyclohexanol
CH
3
OH
H
2
SO
4
CH
3
H11001 HI
1-Iodo-1-methylcyclohexane
CH
3
I
CH
3
H11001 HBr
CH
3
Br
1-Bromo-2-methylcyclohexane
(mixture of cis and trans)
peroxides
134 REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS
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6.25 We need first to write out the structures in more detail to evaluate the substitution patterns at the
double bonds.
(a) 1-Pentene Monosubstituted
(b)(E)-4,4-Dimethyl-2-pentene trans-Disubstituted
(c)(Z)-4-Methyl-2-pentene cis-Disubstituted
(d)(Z)-2,2,5,5-Tetramethyl-3-hexene Two tert-butyl groups cis
(e) 2,4-Dimethyl-2-pentene Trisubstituted
Compound d, having two cis tert-butyl groups, should have the least stable (highest energy) double
bond. The remaining alkenes are arranged in order of increasing stability (decreasing heats of
hydrogenation) according to the degree of substitution of the double bond: monosubstituted, cis-
disubstituted, trans-disubstituted, trisubstituted. The heats of hydrogenation are therefore:
(d) 151 kJ/mol (36.2 kcal/mol)
(a) 122 kJ/mol (29.3 kcal/mol)
(c) 114 kJ/mol (27.3 kcal/mol)
(b) 111 kJ/mol (26.5 kcal/mol)
(e) 105 kJ/mol (25.1 kcal/mol)
6.26 In all parts of this exercise we deduce the carbon skeleton on the basis of the alkane formed on
hydrogenation of an alkene and then determine what carbon atoms may be connected by a double
bond in that skeleton. Problems of this type are best done by using carbon skeleton formulas.
Product is 2,2,3,4,4-pentamethylpentane.(a) The only possible alkene precursor is
(b) May be formed by hydrogenation ofProduct is 2,3-dimethylbutane.
or
(c) May be formed by hydrogenation ofProduct is methylcyclobutane.
oror
REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS 135
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6.27 Hydrogenation of the alkenes shown will give a mixture of cis- and trans-1,4-dimethylcyclohexane.
Only when the methyl groups are cis in the starting alkene will the cis stereoisomer be the sole prod-
uct following hydrogenation. Hydrogenation of cis-3,6-dimethylcyclohexane will yield exclusively
cis-1,4-dimethylcyclohexane.
6.28 (a) The desired transformation is the conversion of an alkene to a vicinal dibromide.
(b) Markovnikov addition of hydrogen chloride is indicated.
(c) Free-radical addition of hydrogen bromide opposite to Markovnikov’s rule will give the re-
quired regiochemistry.
(d) Acid-catalyzed hydration will occur in accordance with Markovnikov’s rule to yield the
desired tertiary alcohol.
(e) Hydroboration–oxidation results in hydration of alkenes with a regioselectivity opposite to
that of Markovnikov’s rule.
C(CH
2
CH
3
)
2
1. B
2
H
6
2. H
2
O
2
, HO
H11002
CH
3
CH
3-Ethyl-2-pentanol
CH
3
CHCH(CH
2
CH
3
)
2
OH
C(CH
2
CH
3
)
2
H
2
O
H
2
SO
4
CH
3
CH
3-Ethyl-3-pentanol
CH
3
CH
2
C(CH
2
CH
3
)
2
OH
C(CH
2
CH
3
)
2
HBr
peroxides
CH
3
CH
2-Bromo-3-ethylpentane
CH
3
CHCH(CH
2
CH
3
)
2
Br
C(CH
2
CH
3
)
2
HCl
CH
3
CH
3-Chloro-3-ethylpentane
CH
3
CH
2
C(CH
2
CH
3
)
2
Cl
C(CH
2
CH
3
)
2
Br
2
CCl
4
CH
3
CH
2,3-Dibromo-3-ethylpentane3-Ethyl-2-pentene
CH
3
CHC(CH
2
CH
3
)
2
Br Br
H
2
catalyst
H
3
CCH
3
cis-3,6-Dimethylcyclohexene
H
3
CCH
3
cis-1,4-Dimethylcyclohexane
or
H
2
CCH
3
H
3
CCH
3
H
3
CCH
3
H11001
H
3
CCH
3
H
2
catalyst
cis-1,4-Dimethylcyclohexane trans-1,4-Dimethylcyclohexane
136 REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS
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( f ) A peroxy acid will convert an alkene to an epoxide.
(g) Hydrogenation of alkenes converts them to alkanes.
6.29 (a) Four primary alcohols have the molecular formula C
5
H
12
O:
2,2-Dimethyl-1-propanol cannot be prepared by hydration of an alkene, because no alkene
can have this carbon skeleton.
(b) Hydroboration–oxidation of alkenes is the method of choice for converting terminal alkenes
to primary alcohols.
(c) The only tertiary alcohol is 2-methyl-2-butanol. It can be made by Markovnikov hydration of
2-methyl-1-butene or of 2-methyl-2-butene.
6.30 (a) Because the double bond is symmetrically substituted, the same addition product is formed
under either ionic or free-radical conditions. Peroxides are absent, and so addition takes place
H
2
C (CH
3
)
2
CCH
2
CH
3
CCH
2
CH
3
CH
3
OH
H
2
O, H
2
SO
4
2-Methyl-1-butene 2-Methyl-2-butanol
(CH
3
)
2
C (CH
3
)
2
CCH
2
CH
3
CHCH
3
OH
H
2
O, H
2
SO
4
2-Methyl-2-butene 2-Methyl-2-butanol
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CH CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH
2
OHCH
2
1. B
2
H
6
2. H
2
O
2
, HO
H11002
1-Pentanol1-Pentene
(CH
3
)
2
CHCH (CH
3
)
2
CHCH
2
CH
2
OHCH
2
1. B
2
H
6
2. H
2
O
2
, HO
H11002
3-Methyl-1-butanol3-Methyl-1-butene
CH
3
CH
2
CCH
3
CH
2
CHCH
2
OHCH
2
CH
3
CH
3
1. B
2
H
6
2. H
2
O
2
, HO
H11002
2-Methyl-1-butene 2-Methyl-1-butanol
1-Pentanol 2-Methyl-1-butanol 3-Methyl-1-butanol 2,2-Dimethyl-1-propanol
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH
2
OH CH
3
CH
2
CHCH
2
OH (CH
3
)
2
CHCH
2
CH
2
OH (CH
3
)
3
CCH
2
OH
CH
3
C(CH
2
CH
3
)
2
H
2
Pt
CH
3
CH
3-Ethylpentane
CH
3
CH
2
CH(CH
2
CH
3
)
2
CH
3
CH
CH
3
CH
2
CH
3
CH
2
CH
3
H O
C(CH
2
CH
3
)
2
CH
3
CO
2
OH
3-Ethyl-2,3-epoxypentane
REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS 137
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by an ionic mechanism to give 3-bromohexane. (It does not matter whether the starting mate-
rial is cis- or trans-3-hexene; both give the same product.)
(b) In the presence of peroxides, hydrogen bromide adds with a regioselectivity opposite to that
predicted by Markovnikov’s rule. The product is the corresponding primary bromide.
(c) Hydroboration–oxidation of alkenes leads to hydration of the double bond with a regioselec-
tivity contrary to Markovnikov’s rule and without rearrangement of the carbon skeleton.
(d) Hydroboration–oxidation of alkenes leads to syn hydration of double bonds.
(e) Bromine adds across the double bond of alkenes to give vicinal dibromides.
( f ) In aqueous solution bromine reacts with alkenes to give bromohydrins. Bromine is the
electrophile in this reaction and adds to the carbon that has the greater number of attached
hydrogens.
H11001 Br
2
(CH
3
)
2
C CHCH
3
2-Methyl-2-butene Bromine
(CH
3
)
2
CCHCH
3
OH
Br
3-Bromo-2-methyl-2-butanol
(observed yield 77%)
H
2
O
H
2
C CCH
2
CH
2
CH
3
H11001 Br
2
CH
3
2-Methyl-1-pentene
BrCH
2
CCH
2
CH
2
CH
3
CH
3
Br
1,2-Dibromo-2-methylpentane
(observed yield 60%)
CHCl
3
CH
3
H
OH
CH
3
1. B
2
H
6
2. H
2
O
2
, HO
H11002
CH
3
CH
3
1,2-Dimethylcyclohexene cis-1,2-Dimethylcyclohexanol
(observed yield 82%)
H
2
C
C(CH
3
)
3
C(CH
3
)
3
C HOCH
2
CHC(CH
3
)
3
1. B
2
H
6
2. H
2
O
2
, HO
H11002
2-tert-Butyl-3,3-dimethyl-1-butanol
(observed yield 65%)
2-tert-Butyl-3,3-dimethyl-1-butene
C(CH
3
)
3
(CH
3
)
2
CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH
2
Br(CH
3
)
2
CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH CH
2
HBr
peroxides
1-Bromo-6-methylheptane
(observed yield 92%)
6-Methyl-1-heptene
CH
3
CH
2
CH CHCH
2
CH
3
HBrH11001
no peroxides
3-Bromohexane
(observed yield 76%)
Hydrogen
bromide
3-Hexene
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
CHCH
2
CH
3
Br
138 REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS
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(g) An aqueous solution of chlorine will react with 1-methylcyclopentene by an anti addition.
Chlorine is the electrophile and adds to the less substituted end of the double bond.
O
<
(h) Compounds of the type RCOOH are peroxy acids and react with alkenes to give epoxides.
(i) The double bond is cleaved by ozonolysis. Each of the doubly bonded carbons becomes dou-
bly bonded to oxygen in the product.
6.31 The product is epoxide B.
Epoxidation is an electrophilic addition; oxygen is transferred to the more electron-rich, more
highly substituted double bond. A tetrasubstituted double bond reacts faster than a disubstituted one.
6.32 (a) There is no direct, one-step transformation that moves a hydroxyl group from one carbon to
another, and so it is not possible to convert 2-propanol to 1-propanol in a single reaction.
Analyze the problem by reasoning backward. 1-Propanol is a primary alcohol. What reactions
do we have available for the preparation of primary alcohols? One way is by the hydroboration–
oxidation of terminal alkenes.
CH
3
CH CH
2
Propene
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
OH
1-Propanol
hydroboration–oxidation
O O
CH
3
COOH
O
AB
Major product;
formed faster
O
O
Cyclodecan-1,6-dione
(observed yield 45%)
1. O
3
2. H
2
O
(CH
3
)
2
C (CH
3
)
2
C
O
C(CH
3
)
2
CCC(CH
3
)
2
H11001 CH
3
COOH
O
H11001 CH
3
COH
O
2,3-Dimethyl-2,3-epoxybutane
(observed yield 70–80%)
Peroxyacetic acid2,3-Dimethyl-2-butene Acetic acid
CH
3
CH
3
OH
Cl
H
trans-2-Chloro-1-
methylcyclopentanol
1-Methylcyclopentene
Cl
2
H
2
O
REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS 139
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The problem now becomes the preparation of propene from 2-propanol. The simplest way is
by acid-catalyzed dehydration.
After analyzing the problem in terms of overall strategy, present the synthesis in detail show-
ing the reagents required in each step. Thus, the answer is:
(b) We analyze this synthetic exercise in a manner similar to the preceding one. There is no direct
way to move a bromine from C-2 in 2-bromopropane to C-1 in 1-bromopropane. We can,
however, prepare 1-bromopropane from propene by free-radical addition of hydrogen bro-
mide in the presence of peroxides.
We prepare propene from 2-bromopropane by dehydrohalogenation.
Sodium ethoxide in ethanol is a suitable base-solvent system for this conversion. Sodium
methoxide in methanol or potassium tert-butoxide in tert-butyl alcohol could also be used, as
could potassium hydroxide in ethanol.
Combining these two transformations gives the complete synthesis.
(c) Planning your strategy in a forward direction can lead to problems when the conversion of
2-bromopropane to 1,2-dibromopropane is considered. There is a temptation to try to simply
add the second bromine by free-radical halogenation.
Br
2
, light and heat
1,2-Dibromopropane2-Bromopropane
CH
3
CHCH
3
Br
CH
3
CHCH
2
Br
Br
CH
2
CH
3
CH
NaOCH
2
CH
3
CH
3
CH
2
OH, heat
Propene
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
Br
HBr
peroxides
1-Bromopropane2-Bromopropane
CH
3
CHCH
3
Br
CH
2
CH
3
CH
E2
Propene2-Bromopropane
CH
3
CHCH
3
Br
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
BrCH
3
CH CH
2
HBrH11001
Hydrogen
bromide
1-BromopropanePropene
peroxides
CH
3
CH CH
2
CH
3
CHCH
3
OH
2-Propanol Propene 1-Propanol
CH
3
CH
2
CH
2
OH
H
2
SO
4
heat
1. B
2
H
6
2. H
2
O
2
, HO
H11002
2-Propanol Propene
H
H11001
, heat
CH
3
CHCH
3
OH
CH
3
CH CH
2
140 REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS
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This is incorrect! There is no reason to believe that the second bromine will be introduced
exclusively at C-1. In fact, the selectivity rules for bromination tell us that 2,2-dibromo-
propane is the expected major product.
The best approach is to reason backward. 1,2-Dibromopropane is a vicinal dibromide, and
we prepare vicinal dibromides by adding elemental bromine to alkenes.
As described in part (b), we prepare propene from 2-bromopropane by E2 elimination. The
correct synthesis is therefore
(d) Do not attempt to reason forward and convert 2-propanol to 1-bromo-2-propanol by free-
radical bromination. Reason backward! The desired compound is a vicinal bromohydrin, and
vicinal bromohydrins are prepared by adding bromine to alkenes in aqueous solution. The cor-
rect solution is
(e) Here we have another problem where reasoning forward can lead to trouble. If we try to con-
serve the oxygen of 2-propanol so that it becomes the oxygen of 1,2-epoxypropane, we need
a reaction in which this oxygen becomes bonded to C-1.
This will not work as no synthetic method for such a single-step transformation exists!
By reasoning backward, recalling that epoxides are made from alkenes by reaction with
peroxy acids, we develop a proper synthesis.
( f ) tert-Butyl alcohol and isobutyl alcohol have the same carbon skeleton; all that is required is to
move the hydroxyl group from C-1 to C-2. As pointed out in part (a) of this problem, we
CH
2
CH
3
CH
H
2
SO
4
heat
Propene
CH
3
COOH
1,2-Epoxypropane2-Propanol
CH
3
CHCH
3
OH
CH
3
CH CH
2
O
O
2-Propanol 1,2-Epoxypropane
CH
3
CHCH
3
OH
CH
3
CH CH
2
O
CH
2
CH
3
CH
H
2
SO
4
heat
Propene
Br
2
H
2
O
1-Bromo-2-propanol2-Propanol
CH
3
CHCH
3
OH
CH
3
CHCH
2
Br
OH
CH
2
CH
3
CH
NaOCH
2
CH
3
CH
3
CH
2
OH
Propene
Br
2
1,2-Dibromopropane2-Bromopropane
CH
3
CHCH
3
Br
CH
3
CHCH
2
Br
Br
Propene
CH
2
CH
3
CH H11001
Bromine
Br
2
1,2-Dibromopropane
CH
3
CHCH
2
Br
Br
REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS 141
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cannot do that directly but we can do it in two efficient steps through a synthesis that involves
hydration of an alkene.
Acid-catalyzed hydration of the alkene gives the desired regioselectivity.
(g) The strategy of this exercise is similar to that of the preceding one. Convert the starting mate-
rial to an alkene by an elimination reaction, followed by electrophilic addition to the double
bond.
(h) This problem is similar to the one in part (d) in that it requires the preparation of a halohydrin
from an alkyl halide. The strategy is the same. Convert the alkyl halide to an alkene, and then
form the halohydrin by treatment with the appropriate halogen in aqueous solution.
(i) Halogenation of an alkane is required here. Iodination of alkanes, however, is not a feasible re-
action. We can make alkyl iodides from alcohols or from alkenes by treatment with HI. A rea-
sonable synthesis using reactions that have been presented to this point proceeds as shown:
( j) Dichlorination of cyclopentane under free-radical conditions is not a realistic approach to the
introduction of two chlorines in a trans-1,2 relationship without contamination by isomeric
dichlorides. Vicinal dichlorides are prepared by electrophilic addition of chlorine to alkenes.
The stereochemistry of addition is anti.
(k) The desired compound contains all five carbon atoms of cyclopentane but is not cyclic. Two
aldehyde functions are present. We know that cleavage of carbon–carbon double bonds by
ozonolysis leads to two carbonyl groups, which suggests the synthesis shown in the following
equation:
H
2
SO
4
heat
1. O
3
2. Zn,
H
2
O
Cyclopentanol PentanedialCyclopentene
OH
OO
HH
HCCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH
O O
H11013
Cl
2
light
NaOCH
2
CH
3
CH
3
CH
2
OH
Cl
2
Cl Cl
Cl
Cyclopentane CyclopenteneCyclopentyl chloride trans-1,2-Dichlorocyclopentane
Cl
2
light
NaOCH
2
CH
3
CH
3
CH
2
OH
HI
Cl I
Cyclopentane CyclopenteneCyclopentyl chloride Cyclopentyl iodide
Cl
Cyclohexyl chloride Cyclohexene trans-2-Chlorocyclohexanol
NaOCH
2
CH
3
CH
3
CH
2
OH
Cl
2
H
2
O
OH
Cl
CH
2
(CH
3
)
2
C
KOC(CH
3
)
3
(CH
3
)
3
COH, heat
HI
tert-Butyl iodideIsobutyl iodide 2-Methylpropene
(CH
3
)
2
CHCH
2
I (CH
3
)
3
CI
CH
2
(CH
3
)
2
C
H
2
SO
4
heat
H
2
O, H
2
SO
4
tert-Butyl alcoholIsobutyl alcohol 2-Methylpropene
(CH
3
)
2
CHCH
2
OH (CH
3
)
3
COH
142 REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS
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6.33 The two products formed by addition of hydrogen bromide to 1,2-dimethylcyclohexene cannot be
regioisomers. Stereoisomers are possible, however.
The same two products are formed from 1,6-dimethylcyclohexene because addition of hydrogen
bromide follows Markovnikov’s rule in the absence of peroxides.
6.34 The problem presents the following experimental observation:
This observation tells us that the predominant mode of hydrogen addition to the double bond is
from the equatorial direction. Equatorial addition is the less hindered approach and thus occurs
faster.
(a) Epoxidation should therefore give the following products:
The major product is the stereoisomer that corresponds to transfer of oxygen from the equa-
torial direction.
CH
2
(CH
3
)
3
C
H
O
Major product
CH
2
O
Minor product
(CH
3
)
3
C
H
CH
2
(CH
3
)
3
C
H
Axial addition (slower)
Equatorial addition (faster)
CH
3
(CH
3
)
3
C
H
H
CH
3
(CH
3
)
3
C
H
H
H
2
, Rh
H11001
cis-1-tert-Butyl-4-
methylcyclohexane (88%)
trans-1-tert-Butyl-4-
methylcyclohexane (12%)
CH
2
(CH
3
)
3
C
H
4-tert-Butyl(methylene)-
cyclohexane
CH
3
HBr
H11001
1,6-Dimethylcyclohexene cis-1,2-Dimethylcyclohexyl
bromide
trans-1,2-Dimethylcyclohexyl
bromide
CH
3
H
CH
3
CH
3
Br
H
Br
CH
3
CH
3
H
CH
3
CH
3
HBr
H11001
1,2-Dimethylcyclohexene cis-1,2-Dimethylcyclohexyl
bromide
trans-1,2-Dimethylcyclohexyl
bromide
CH
3
CH
3
H
Br
CH
3
Br
H
CH
3
REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS 143
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(b) Hydroboration–oxidation occurs from the equatorial direction.
6.35 The methyl group in compound B shields one face of the double bond from the catalyst surface,
therefore hydrogen can be transferred only to the bottom face of the double bond. The methyl group
in compound A does not interfere with hydrogen transfer to the double bond.
Thus, hydrogenation of A is faster than that of B because B contains a more sterically hindered
double bond.
6.36 Hydrogen can add to the double bond of 1,4-dimethylcyclopentene either from the same side as
the C-4 methyl group or from the opposite side. The two possible products are cis- and trans-1, 3-
dimethylcyclopentane.
Hydrogen transfer occurs to the less hindered face of the double bond, that is, trans to the C-4 methyl
group. Thus, the major product is cis-1,3-dimethylcyclopentane.
6.37 Hydrogen can add to either the top face or the bottom face of the double bond. Syn addition to the
double bond requires that the methyl groups in the product be cis.
6.38 3-Carene can in theory undergo hydrogenation to give either cis-carane or trans-carane.
CH
3
CH
3
H
3
C
CH
3
CH
3
H
3
C
H
CH
3
CH
3
H
3
C
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
2
Pt
or
cis-Carane (98%) trans-Carane
CH
3
CH
3
CH
3
CH
3
H
2
Pt or Pd
H
H
CH
3
CH
3
H
H
H11001
CH
3
CH
3
CH
3
CH
3
CH
3
CH
3
H
2
Pt or Pd
H11001
1,4-Dimethylcyclopentene cis-1,3-Dimethylcyclopentane trans-1,3-Dimethylcyclopentane
H
3
C H H
3
C H
Open
Shielded by
methyl group
Top face of double bond:
Compound A Compound B
CH
2
OH
H
CH
2
OH
H
Minor productMajor product
(CH
3
)
3
C
H
(CH
3
)
3
C
H
144 REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS
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The exclusive product is cis-carane, since it corresponds to transfer of hydrogen from the less hin-
dered side.
6.39 Ethylene and propene react with concentrated sulfuric acid to form alkyl hydrogen sulfates. Addi-
tion of water hydrolyzes the alkyl hydrogen sulfates to the corresponding alcohols.
Recall that alkyl substituents on the double bond increase the reactivity of alkenes toward elec-
trophilic addition. Propene therefore reacts faster than ethylene with sulfuric acid, and the mixture
of alkyl hydrogen sulfates is mainly isopropyl hydrogen sulfate, and the alcohol obtained on hy-
drolysis is isopropyl alcohol.
6.40 The first step in the mechanism of acid-catalyzed hydration of alkenes is protonation of the double
bond to give a carbocation intermediate.
The carbocation formed in this step is secondary and capable of rearranging to a more stable tertiary
carbocation by a hydride shift.
The alcohol that is formed when water reacts with the tertiary carbocation is 2-methyl-2-butanol, not
3-methyl-2-butanol.
Water 1,1-Dimethylpropyl cation 2-Methyl-2-butanol
CH
3
CH
2
C(CH
3
)
2
CH
3
CH
2
C(CH
3
)
2
O
H
H
O
HH
H11001
H11001
CH
3
CH
2
C(CH
3
)
2
OH
H11002H
H11001
H11001
1,2-Dimethylpropyl cation
(secondary)
1,1-Dimethylpropyl cation
(tertiary)
CHCH
3
H11001
C(CH
3
)
2
H
CHCH
3
H11001
C(CH
3
)
2
H
Hydronium ion 3-Methyl-1-butene Water 1,2-Dimethylpropyl cation
(secondary)
CHCH(CH
3
)
2
CH
2
O
H
H
H
H11001
O
H
H
H11001 CHCH(CH
3
)
2
CH
3
H11001
H
2
C CHCH
3
CH
3
CHCH
3
OSO
2
OH
CH
3
CHCH
3
H
2
SO
4
H
2
O
heat
Propene Isopropyl
hydrogen sulfate
Isopropyl alcohol
OH
H
2
CCH
2
CH
3
CH
2
OSO
2
OH CH
3
CH
2
OH
H
2
SO
4
H
2
O
heat
Ethylene Ethyl hydrogen sulfate Ethanol
H
H
CH
3
H
H
H
CH
3
H
H
3
C
CH
3
H
3
C
CH
3
H
H
Pt
Pt
cis-Carane
Methyl groups
shield this
side of
molecule
REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS 145
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6.41 In the presence of sulfuric acid, the carbon–carbon double bond of 2-methyl-1-butene is protonated
and a carbocation is formed.
This carbocation can then lose a proton from its CH
2
group to form 2-methyl-2-butene.
6.42 The first step in the reaction of an alkene with bromine is the formation of a bromonium ion.
This bromonium ion can react with Br
H11002
to form 1,2-dibromohexane, or it can be attacked by
methanol.
Attack on the bromonium ion by methanol is analogous to the attack by water in the mechanism of
bromohydrin formation.
6.43 The problem stipulates that a bridged sulfonium ion is an intermediate. Therefore, use the H9266 elec-
trons of the double bond to attack one of the sulfur atoms of thiocyanogen and cleave the S@S bond
in a manner analogous to cleavage of a Br@Br bond in the reaction of bromine with an alkene.
The sulfonium ion is then attacked by thiocyanate (NCS
H11002
) to give the observed product, which has
the trans stereochemistry.
SCN
H11001
H11002
SCN
SCN
SCN
SCN
SCN
SCNH11001 SCN
H11001
H11002
H11002H
H11001
CH
2
CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH
3
Br
O
CH
3
H
CH
2
CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH
3
Br
O
CH
3
H
2
C CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH
3
Br
H11001
CH
3
H
O
1-Bromo-2-methoxyhexane
H11001
H
2
C CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH
3
H
2
C CHCH
2
CH
2
CH
2
CH
3
Br
2
Br
H11001
OH H
3
C
CH
3
CHCH
3
C
H
H
H11001OH
3
C
CH
3
CHCH
3
C
H
H
H
H11001
H11001H11001
Water 1,1-Dimethylpropyl cation Hydronium ion 2-Methyl-2-butene
OH H
2
C
CH
3
CH
2
CH
3
C
H
H
H11001
OH
3
C
CH
3
CH
2
CH
3
C
H
H
H11001
H11001
Hydronium ion 2-Methyl-1-butene Water 1,1-Dimethylpropyl cation
146 REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS
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6.44 Alkenes of molecular formula C
12
H
24
are trimers of 2-methylpropene. The first molecule of
2-methylpropene is protonated to form tert-butyl cation, which reacts with a second molecule of
2-methylpropene to give a tertiary carbocation having eight carbons.
This carbocation reacts with a third molecule of 2-methylpropene to give a 12-carbon tertiary
carbocation.
The 12-carbon carbocation can lose a proton in either of two directions to give the alkenes shown.
6.45 The carbon skeleton is revealed by the hydrogenation experiment. Compounds B and C must have
the same carbon skeleton as 3-ethylpentane.
Three alkyl bromides have this carbon skeleton, namely, 1-bromo-3-ethylpentane, 2-bromo-
3-ethylpentane, and 3-bromo-3-ethylpentane. Of these three only 2-bromo-3-ethylpentane will give
two alkenes on dehydrobromination.
Compound A must therefore be 2-bromo-3-ethylpentane. Dehydrobromination of A will follow
Zaitsev’s rule, so that the major alkene (compound B) is 3-ethyl-2-pentene and the minor alkene
(compound C) is 3-ethyl-1-pentene.
E2
Br
(only product)
1-Bromo-3-ethylpentane
E2
Br
(only product)
3-Bromo-3-ethylpentane
E2
Br
2-Bromo-3-ethylpentane 3-Ethyl-1-pentene 3-Ethyl-2-pentene
H11001
or
H
2
cat
1,1,3,3,5,5-Hexamethylhexyl cation 2,4,4,6,6-Pentamethyl-1-heptene 2,4,4,6,6-Pentamethyl-2-heptene
(CH
3
)
3
CCH
2
CCH
2
CH
3
CH
3
CH
3
CH
3
C
H11001
H11001(CH
3
)
3
CCH
2
CCH
2
CH
3
CH
3
CH
2
CH
3
C (CH
3
)
3
CCH
2
CCH
CH
3
CH
3
CH
3
CH
3
C
H11002H
H11001
CH
3
CH
3
(CH
3
)
3
CCH
2
C
H11001
CH
2
CH
3
CH
3
CH11001
CH
3
CH
3
(CH
3
)
3
CCH
2
CCH
2
CH
3
CH
3
C
1,1,3,3,5,5-Hexamethylhexyl cation2-Methylpropene1,1,3,3-Tetramethylbutyl cation
H11001
(CH
3
)
3
C
H11001
CH
2
CH
3
CH
3
CH11001 (CH
3
)
3
CCH
2
CH
3
CH
3
C
H11001
tert-Butyl cation 2-Methylpropene 1,1,3,3-Tetramethylbutyl cation
REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS 147
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6.46 The information that compound B gives 2,4-dimethylpentane on catalytic hydrogenation establishes
its carbon skeleton.
Compound B is an alkene derived from compound A—an alkyl bromide of molecular formula
C
7
H
15
Br. We are told that compound A is not a primary alkyl bromide. Compound A can therefore
be only:
Since compound A gives a single alkene on being treated with sodium ethoxide in ethanol, it can
only be 3-bromo-2,4-dimethylpentane, and compound B must be 2,4-dimethyl-2-pentene.
6.47 Alkene C must have the same carbon skeleton as its hydrogenation product, 2,3,3,4-
tetramethylpentane.
Alkene C can only therefore be 2,3,3,4-tetramethyl-1-pentene. The two alkyl bromides, compounds
A and B, that give this alkene on dehydrobromination have their bromine substituents at C-1 and
C-2, respectively.
6.48 The only alcohol (compound A) that can undergo acid-catalyzed dehydration to alkene B without
rearrangement is the one shown in the equation.
H
HO
KHSO
4
heat
H11002H
2
O
Alcohol A Alkene B
Br
1-Bromo-2,3,3,4-tetramethylpentane
2,3,3,4-Tetramethyl-1-pentene
2-Bromo-2,3,3,4-tetramethylpentane
Br
KOC(CH
3
)
3
,
dimethyl sulfoxide
KOC(CH
3
)
3
,
dimethyl sulfoxide
2,3,3,4-Tetramethylpentane
H
2
catalyst
Alkene C
Br
NaOCH
2
CH
3
CH
3
CH
2
OH
3-Bromo-2,4-dimethylpentane
(compound A)
2,4-Dimethyl-2-pentene
(compound B)
Br
Br
or
2,4-Dimethylpentane
H
2
catalyst
Compound B
148 REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS
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Dehydration of alcohol A also yields an isomeric alkene under these conditions.
6.49 Electrophilic addition of hydrogen iodide should occur in accordance with Markovnikov’s rule.
Treatment of 3-iodo-2,2-dimethylbutane with alcoholic potassium hydroxide should bring about
E2 elimination to regenerate the starting alkene. Hence, compound A is 3-iodo-2,2-dimethylbutane.
The carbocation intermediate formed in the addition of hydrogen iodide to the alkene is one
which can rearrange by a methyl group migration.
A likely candidate for compound B is therefore the one with a rearranged carbon skeleton, 2-iodo-
2,3-dimethylbutane. This is confirmed by the fact that compound B undergoes elimination to give
2,3-dimethyl-2-butene.
6.50 The ozonolysis data are useful in quickly identifying alkenes A and B.
Compound A is therefore 2-tert-butyl-3,3-dimethyl-1-butene.
(CH
3
)
3
CCC(CH
3
)
3
CH
2
Compound A
Compound B HCH CH
3
C C(CH
3
)
3
CH11001
O O CH
3
CH
3
Compound A HCH (CH
3
)
3
CCC(CH
3
)
3
H11001
OO
(CH
3
)
2
C C(CH
3
)
2
E2
(CH
3
)
2
CH C(CH
3
)
2
I
Compound B 2,3-Dimethyl-2-butene
CHC(CH
3
)
3
HH11001
H11001
H11001
H
2
C H
3
C
CH
3
CH
3
CH CCH
3
H
3
C
CH
3
CH
3
CH CCH
3
H11001
CH
3
CH C(CH
3
)
3
I I
(CH
3
)
2
CH C(CH
3
)
2
methyl
migration
I
H11002
I
H11002
Compound A Compound B
(2-iodo-2,3-dimethylbutane)
HI
KOH, n-PrOH
CHC(CH
3
)
3
H
2
C CH
3
CHC(CH
3
)
3
I
3-Iodo-2,2-dimethylbutane3,3-Dimethyl-1-butene
H
H
HO
KHSO
4
heat
H11002H
2
O
Alcohol A Alkene C
REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS 149
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Compound B is therefore 2,3,3,4,4-pentamethyl-1-pentene.
Compound B has a carbon skeleton different from the alcohol that produced it by dehydration. We
are therefore led to consider a carbocation rearrangement.
6.51 The important clue to deducing the structures of A and B is the ozonolysis product C. Remembering
that the two carbonyl carbons of C must have been joined by a double bond in the precursor B, we write
The tertiary bromide that gives compound B on dehydrobromination is 1-methylcyclohexyl bromide.
When tertiary halides are treated with base, they undergo E2 elimination. The regioselectivity of
elimination of tertiary halides follows the Zaitsev rule.
6.52 Since santene and 1,3-diacetylcyclopentane (compound A) contain the same number of carbon
atoms, the two carbonyl carbons of the diketone must have been connected by a double bond in san-
tene. The structure of santene must therefore be
CC
more appropriately represented as
H
3
H
3
CH
3
CH
3
CH
3
CH
3
Br
Compound A Compound B
NaOCH
2
CH
3
CH
3
CH
2
OH
O
H
CH
3
CH
3
O
These two carbons
must have been
connected by a
double bond.
Compound C Compound B
CC(CH
3
)
3
CH
3
OH
CH
3
C CC(CH
3
)
3
CH
3
H
3
C
H
3
C
H
H11001
H11002H
H11001
H11002H
H11001
H11001
CH
3
C CC(CH
3
)
3
CH
3
CH
3
H
3
C
H11001
CH
3
C CC(CH
3
)
3
CH
3
CH
3
H
2
C
(CH
3
)
3
C CC(CH
3
)
3
CH
2
Compound A
Compound B
methyl
migration
(CH
3
)
3
C
Compound B
CH
3
C CC(CH
3
)
3
H
2
C CH
3
CH
3
150 REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS
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6.53 (a) Compound A contains nine of the ten carbons and 14 of the 16 hydrogens of sabinene.
Ozonolysis has led to the separation of one carbon and two hydrogens from the rest of the
molecule. The carbon and the two hydrogens must have been lost as formaldehyde, H
2
C?O.
This H
2
C unit was originally doubly bonded to the carbonyl carbon of compound A. Sabinene
must therefore have the structure shown in the equation representing its ozonolysis:
(b) Compound B contains all ten of the carbons and all 16 of the hydrogens of H9004
3
-carene. The two
carbonyl carbons of compound B must have been linked by a double bond in H9004
3
-carene.
6.54 The sex attractant of the female housefly consumes one mole of hydrogen on catalytic hydrogena-
tion (the molecular formula changes from C
23
H
46
to C
23
H
48
). Thus, the molecule has one double
bond. The position of the double bond is revealed by the ozonolysis data.
An unbranched 9-carbon unit and an unbranched 14-carbon unit make up the carbon skeleton, and
these two units must be connected by a double bond. The housefly sex attractant therefore has the
constitution:
The data cited in the problem do not permit the stereochemistry of this natural product to be
determined.
6.55 The hydrogenation data tell us that C
19
H
38
contains one double bond and has the same carbon skele-
ton as 2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane. We locate the double bond at C-2 on the basis of the fact
that acetone, (CH
3
)
2
C?O, is obtained on ozonolysis. The structures of the natural product and the
aldehyde produced on its ozonolysis are as follows:
O
H
Aldehyde obtained on ozonolysisOzonolysis cleaves molecule here.
CH
3
(CH
2
)
7
CH CH(CH
2
)
12
CH
3
9-Tricosene
C
23
H
46
CH
3
(CH
2
)
7
CH H11001 CH
3
(CH
2
)
12
CH
O O
1. O
3
2. H
2
O, Zn
H
H
HH
3
C
H
3
CCH
3
H
3
CCH
3
CH
2
CH
H H
O
CH
3
CCH
2
O
Cleaved by
ozonolysis
H9004
3
-Carene Compound B
1. O
3
2. H
2
O, Zn
CH
2
CH(CH
3
)
2
O
CH(CH
3
)
2
1. O
3
2. H
2
O, Zn
H11001
C
O
HH
Sabinene Compound A Formaldehyde
REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS 151
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OO
<<
6.56 Since HCCH
2
CH is one of the products of its ozonolysis, the sex attractant of the arctiid moth must
contain the unit ?CHCH
2
CH?. This unit must be bonded to an unbranched 12-carbon unit at one
end and an unbranched 6-carbon unit at the other in order to give CH
3
(CH
2
)
10
CH?O and
CH
3
(CH
2
)
4
CH?O on ozonolysis.
The stereochemistry of the double bonds cannot be determined on the basis of the available
information.
6.57–6.59 Solutions to molecular modeling exercises are not provided in this Study Guide and Solutions Man-
ual. You should use Learning By Modeling for these exercises.
SELF-TEST
PART A
A-1. How many different alkenes will yield 2,3-dimethylpentane on catalytic hydrogenation?
Draw their structures, and name them.
A-2. Write structural formulas for the reactant, reagents, or product omitted from each of the
following:
A-3. Provide a sequence of reactions to carry out the following conversions. More than one
synthetic step is necessary for each. Write the structure of the product of each synthetic
step.
CH
3
OH
CH
3
OH
(a)
CH
3
Br
2
H11001
H
2
O
?(d)
O
1. O
3
2. H
2
O, Zn
?(C
10
H
16
)
(c)
CH
2
CH
2
Br
?
(b)
(CH
3
)
2
C CHCH
3
H
2
SO
4
(dilute)
?(a)
CH
3
(CH
2
)
10
CH CH(CH
2
)
4
CH
3
CHCH
2
CH
CH
3
(CH
2
)
10
CH HC(CH
2
)
4
CH
3
HCCH
2
CH
Sex attractant of arctiid moth
(wavy lines show positions of cleavage on ozonolysis)
1. O
3
2. H
2
O, Zn
H11001H11001
O O O O
152 REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS
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A-4. Provide a detailed mechanism describing the elementary steps in the reaction of 1-butene
with HBr in the presence of peroxides.
A-5. Chlorine reacts with an alkene to give the 2,3-dichlorobutane isomer whose structure is
shown. What are the structure and name of the alkene? Outline a mechanism for the reaction.
A-6. Write a structural formula, including stereochemistry, for the compound formed from
cis-3-hexene on treatment with peroxyacetic acid.
A-7. Give a mechanism describing the elementary steps in the reaction of 2-methyl-1-butene with
hydrogen chloride. Use curved arrows to show the flow of electrons.
A-8. What two alkenes give 2-chloro-2-methylbutane on reaction with hydrogen chloride?
A-9. Give the major organic product formed from the following sequence of reactions.
A-10. The reaction of 3-methyl-1-butene with hydrogen chloride gives two alkyl halide products;
one is a secondary alkyl chloride and the other is tertiary. Write the structures of the prod-
ucts, and provide a mechanism explaining their formation.
A-11. A hydrocarbon A (C
6
H
12
) undergoes reaction with HBr to yield compound B (C
6
H
13
Br).
Treatment of B with sodium ethoxide in ethanol yields C, an isomer of A. Reaction of C with
ozone followed by treatment with water and zinc gives acetone, (CH
3
)
2
C?O, as the only
organic product. Provide structures for A, B, and C, and outline the reaction pathway.
PART B
B-1. Rank the following alkenes in order of decreasing heats of hydrogenation (largest first)
(a)2H11022 3 H11022 4 H11022 1(d)2H11022 4 H11022 3 H11022 1
(b)1H11022 3 H11022 4 H11022 2(e)1H11022 2 H11022 3 H11022 4
(c)1H11022 4 H11022 3 H11022 2
B-2. The product from the reaction of 1-pentene with Cl
2
in H
2
O is named:
(a) 1-Chloro-2-pentanol (c) 1-Chloro-1-pentanol
(b) 2-Chloro-2-pentanol (d) 2-Chloro-1-pentanol
B-3. In the reaction of hydrogen bromide with an alkene (in the absence of peroxides), the first
step of the reaction is the _____ to the alkene.
(a) Fast addition of an electrophile (c) Slow addition of an electrophile
(b) Fast addition of a nucleophile (d) Slow addition of a nucleophile
2341
Br
2
light
NaOCH
2
CH
3
CH
3
CH
2
OH
1. B
2
H
6
2. H
2
O
2
, HO
H11002 ?
Cl Cl
HH
H
3
CCH
3
(CH
3
)
3
CCHCH
3
(CH
3
)
3
CCH
2
CH
2
Br
Br
(c)
CH
3
CH
2
CHCH(CH
3
)
2
Cl
CH
3
CH
2
CH C(CH
3
)
2
O
(b)
REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS 153
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B-4. The major product of the following reaction sequence is
B-5. Which, if any, of the following alcohols cannot be prepared from an alkene?
B-6. Which of the species shown is the most stable form of the intermediate in the electrophilic
addition of Cl
2
in water to cyclohexene to form a halohydrin? Electron pairs have been omit-
ted for convenience, and their absence should not be considered as part of the problem.
B-7. Treatment of 2-methyl-2-butene with HBr in the presence of a peroxide yields
(a) A primary alkyl bromide
(b) A secondary alkyl bromide
(c) A tertiary alkyl bromide
(d) A vicinal dibromide
B-8. The reaction
is an example of a(n) ______ step in a radical chain reaction.
(a) Initiation (c) Termination
(b) Propagation (d) Heterolytic cleavage
B-9. To which point on the potential energy diagram for the reaction of 2-methylpropene with
hydrogen chloride does the figure shown at the right correspond?
(c)
(a)
(e)
(d)
(b)
C
CH
2
H
3
C
CH
3
H
Cl
H9254H11001
H9254H11002
(CH
3
)
2
C CH
2
H11001 Br (CH
3
)
2
C CH
2
Br
H
Cl
H
H11001
Cl
H11001
ClCl
H11001
H
OH
H
H11001
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)
OH
OH
OH OH
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e) None of these—all of the alcohols shown
can be prepared from an alkene
OH
(a)
O
(b)
OH
(c)
OH
(d)
O
H
O(e) H11001
1. B
2
H
6
2. H
2
O
2
, HO
– ?
154 REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS
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B-10. Which of the following most accurately describes the first step in the reaction of hydrogen
chloride with 1-butene?
B-11. Which of the following best describes the flow of electrons in the acid-catalyzed dimeriza-
tion of (CH
3
)
2
C?CH
2
?
B-12. Which one of the following compounds gives acetone (CH
3
)
2
C?O as one of the products of
its ozonolysis?
B-13. Addition of HCl to 3,3-dimethyl-1-butene yields two products, one of which has a re-
arranged carbon skeleton. Which of the following cations are intermediates in that reaction?
H11001H11001H11001H11001
(CH
3
)
3
CCHCH
2
Cl (CH
3
)
3
CCHCH
3
(CH
3
)
2
CC(CH
3
)
2
(CH
3
)
2
CCH(CH
3
)
2
g
Cl
123 4
(a) 1, 2 (b) 1, 3 (c) 1, 4 (d) 2, 3 (e) 2, 4
(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)
C
H
3
C CH
3
C
CH
3
CH
3
H
2
C
C
CH
3
CH
3
H
2
C
H
3
C
H
3
C
C CH
2
CH
3
H11001
(a)
(b)
C
CH
3
CH
3
H
2
C
H
2
C
H
3
C
C CH
3
H
3
C
H
3
C
C CH
2
(c)
(d)
C
CH
3
CH
3
H
3
C
H11001
Cl H
Cl H
Cl H
HCl
H11001
H11001
H11001
H11001
H11001
H11001
H11001
Cl
Cl
Cl
H11002
Cl
H11002
H
H11002
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
REACTIONS OF ALKENES: ADDITION REACTIONS 155
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