How does #HBr# add to an olefin in an anti-Markownikow fashion?

1 Answer
Aug 27, 2017

Are you sure that #HBr# adds in an #"anti-Markownikow"# fashion?

Explanation:

As far as I know, and I would be happy to be corrected, #HBr# adds to olefins in a #"Markownikow"# fashion, i.e.

#H_2C=CH-CH_3 + HBr rarr underbrace(H_3C-CHBr-CH_3)_"major product"+underbrace(H_3C-CH_2-CH_2Br)_"minor product"#

The product distribution suggests that hydrohalogenation proceeds via the intermediacy of a #2^@# carbocation, #H_3C-stackrel(+)CHCH_3#.