Addition of Hydroiodic Acid to Alkenes to Give Alkyl Iodides
Description: Treatment of alkenes with hydroiodic acid (HI) leads to the formation of alkyl iodides. Note that the iodine always ends up on the more substituted carbon.
Notes: Note that this reaction is Markovnikoff selective. Since it goes through a carbocation, rearrangements are possible in some situations.
Examples:
Notes: When a secondary carbocation is formed adjacent to a tertiary or quaternary carbon, rearrangements are possible. Note the third example – where Markovnikoff’s rule gives no clear preference a mixture will be obtained.
Mechanism: Electrons from the C1-C2 π bond attack the hydrogen of HI, expelling the iodide ion and leading to the formation of a carbocation (Step 1, arrows A and B). Note that the most stable carbocation is formed preferentially. The iodide anion then attacks the carbocation, leading to formation of the alkyl iodide (Step 2, arrow C).
Notes:
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi James,
I think you meant to switch the Cl’s with the I’s?
Yep – thanks!