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

7151 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Why do we use the n+1 rule in proton NMR?


Define ferromagnetism, paramagnetism and diamagnetism, and determine whether the following complexes a) AgCl b) [Fe(CN)6]4- c) [Mn(CN)6]4- d) Co(H2O)6Cl2 are ferromagnetic, diamagnetic or paramagnetic giving a full justification for your reasoning.


Why do ionisation energies increase across a period?


Explain why the first ionisation energy of strontium is less than the first ionisation energy of calcium


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