When an unsymmetrical alkene undergoes electrophilic addition you often get a major and minor product. What would the major product be when propene reacts with hydrochloric acid? Why is this?

The major product would be 2-chloropropane whilst the minor product would be 1-chloropropane. This is because the more stable secondary carbonation is formed as an intermediate. This is easy to show with a mechanism. The secondary carbocation is stabilised by the two neighbouring carbons pushing electron density towards it. This is known as the inductive effect .

JB
Answered by Jacob B. Chemistry tutor

7185 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Why do Copper and Chromium only have 1 electron in their S orbitals?


Explain the trend in Ionisation energy when moving across a period and down a group


Carbon dioxide is a gas at room temperature while silicon dioxide is a solid at room temperature with a melting point of 1770°C. Explain this by comparing their particles and those forces between these particles.


Explain the position and numbering system of elements on the periodic table.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning