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

6957 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Name an appropriate reducing agent to convert ethanal to ethanol


What is an isomer?


Explain the trends in ionisation energies across the 2nd period of the periodic table?


Draw the reaction mechanism for the formation of ethanol from bromoethane and water and name the mechanism.


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