Alkene Reactions and Reagents

This set of vocabulary flashcards covers essential reagents and outcome patterns for alkene addition and cleavage reactions based on the lecture notes.

Hydroboration-Oxidation

A reaction sequence involving $BH_3 \text{. } THF$ followed by $H_2O_2 / OH^-$ that results in the anti-Markovnikov addition of water ($H$ and $OH$) across a double bond with syn stereochemistry.

Oxymercuration-Demercuration

A process using $AcOHg, OH$ and followed by a reducing agent like $NaHSO_3$ to achieve Markovnikov addition of $H$ and $OH$ without carbocation rearrangement.

Acid-Catalyzed Hydration

The addition of water to an alkene in the presence of an acid catalyst such as $H_2O / H_2SO_4$ to form a Markovnikov alcohol.

Halohydrin Formation

The reaction of an alkene with a halogen in the presence of water (e.g., $Cl_2 / H_2O$) to add both a halogen atom ($Cl$) and a hydroxyl group ($OH$) across the double bond.

Anti-Markovnikov Hydrobromination

The addition of $HBr$ in the presence of peroxides ($H_2O_2$) resulting in the bromine atom attaching to the less substituted carbon of the alkene.

Dehydrohalogenation

An elimination reaction using a strong base in alcohol (e.g., $KOH, CH_3CH_2OH$) to remove a hydrogen halide from an alkyl halide to form an alkene.

Oxidative Cleavage

A reaction that breaks the carbon-carbon double bond to form carbonyl compounds, such as aldehydes and ketones (e.g., producing $H-C=O$ and $O=C-CH_3$).

Epoxide Ring Opening

A reaction involving an epoxide intermediate treated with aqueous acid ($H_3O^+$) in a solvent like $CH_2Cl_2$ to yield a 1,2-diol (glycol).