This unit turns alkene pi bonds into a predictive map of reagents, regiochemistry, stereochemistry, and mechanism — the heart of first-semester reaction pattern recognition.
Match major alkene reagents to products and justify each outcome by mechanism.
Predict Markovnikov versus anti-Markovnikov regiochemistry where relevant.
Distinguish syn and anti addition patterns and know when stereochemistry matters.
Use oxidation and cleavage reactions strategically for synthesis and structure elucidation.
Checkpoint Questions
Q: Which reagent set gives an anti-Markovnikov alcohol from an alkene?
A: BH3·THF followed by H2O2/OH−.
Q: Why does bromination usually give anti addition?
A: The alkene forms a bridged bromonium ion, so backside attack opens the ring from the opposite face.