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CHM 102 Practice Questions Objective Question

Question

Why does a H+ ion attacking a carbon-carbon double bond add to the carbon with the least number of substituents?
Options
A the reaction is resonance stabilized.
B the hybrid geometry favors this process.
C nucleophile tends to attack stable centers of negative charge.
D a more stable carbonium ion is generated.
Correct Answer
Correct Answer

Option D is the correct answer.

Detailed Explanation

According to Markovnikov's rule, the electrophile (H+) adds to the carbon with the greater number of hydrogens (less substituted carbon) because this leads to the formation of the more stable carbocation intermediate (more substituted carbocation).

Hint

Which carbocation is more stable according to Markovnikov's rule?

Question Info