Reactions of Alkenes

The most common reactions of alkenes are addition reactions. In these reactions, the C=C double bond is broken and converted into a C-C single bond. To satisfy the requirement of four-coordinate carbon centers, each carbon atom gains a new single bond. When unsymmetrical reagents (HBr, H-OH, etc.) are added to alkenes, two possible products can often be obtained. Markovnikov's rule (see the relevant mechanisms) can often be used to predict the major product. The following table summarizes most of the important reactions covered in this class.

Type	Reaction	Stereochem.
Hydrogenation		syn
Halogenation (X = Cl, Br)		anti
Halohydrin formation (X = Cl, Br)		anti
Hydrohalogenation (X = Cl, Br, I)
Addition of HBr (with radicals)
Hydration
Cyclopropane via carbenes
Hydroxylation		syn
Diol Cleavage
Oxidative Cleavage

This page was last modified on October 5, 2005
and was written and is maintained by Clarke Earley
Kent State University Stark Campus
Department of Chemistry
email: cearley@stark.kent.edu
Copyright © 2000 Clarke Earley, Kent State University. See also the Fair Use Statement.