Introduction

As halogen molecule, for example Br_2, approaches a double bond of the alkene, electrons in the double bond  repel electrons in bromine molecule causing polarization of the halogen bond.

In other words this creates a dipolar moment in the halogen molecule bond.

Heterolytic bond cleavage occurs and one of the halogens obtains positive charge and reacts as an electrophile. The reaction of the addition is not regioselective but stereoselective.Stereochemistry of this addition can be explained by the mechanism of the reaction.In the first step electrophilic halogen with a positive charge approaches  the double carbon bond and 2 p orbitals of the halogen, bond with two carbon atoms and create a cyclic ion  with a halogen as the intermediate step. In the second step, halogen with the negative charge attacks any of the two carbons in the cyclic ion from the  back side of the cycle as in the S_N2 reaction.Therefore stereochemistry of the product is vicinial dihalides through anti addition.

                                                         R₂C=CR₂   +   X₂   ——>  R₂CX-CR₂X

Halogens that are commonly used in this type of the reaction are: Br and Cl.In thermodynamical  terms I is too slow for this reaction  because of the size of its atom, and F is too vigorous and explosive.

Solvents that are used for this type of electrophilic halogenation are inert.For example CCl₄ can be used in this reaction.

Because halogen with negative charge can attack any  carbon from the opposite side of the cycle it creates a mixture of steric products.Optically inactive starting material produce optically inactive achiral products (meso) or a racemic mixture.

Electrophilic addition  mechanism consists of two steps.

Before constructing the mechanism let us summarize conditions for this reaction

 We will use Br₂ in our example for halogenation of ethylene.

  Step 1 In the first step of the addition the Br-Br bond polarizes, heterolytic cleavage occurs and Br with the positive charge forms a intermediate cycle with the double bond.

Step 2 In the second step, bromide anion attacks any carbon of the bridged bromonium ion from the back side of the cycle.Cycle opens up and two halogens are in the position anti.

Summary.Hallogens can act as electrophiles due to polarizability of their covalent bond.Addition of halogens is stereospecific and produces vicinial dihalides with anti addition.Cis starting material will give mixture of enantiomers and trans produces a meso compound.

References

1. Vollhard,K.Peter C., and Neil E.Schore.Organic Chemistry:Structure and Function.New Yourk: W.H.Freeman and Company 2007
   
2. Chemestry-A Europian Journal 9 (2003) :1036-1044

Outside Links

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dihalo_addition_reaction

Problems

1.What is the mechanism of adding Cl₂ to the cyclohexene?

2.A reaction of Br₂ molecule in an inert solvent with alkene follows?

      a) syn addition

      b) anti addition

      c) Morkovnikov rule

3)

4)

Key:

1.

2. b

3.enantiomer

4.

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