Selective vs. Specific
Many of the transformations you will encounter have the potential to create multiple products – isomers – from a single starting material. The reactions shown
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Addition Reactions: Stereochemistry
In the last post on alkene addition reactions, we discussed one of the two key themes to look for in addition reactions: regiochemistry (in other words
Read moreMarkovnikov’s Rule (2) – Why It Works
Understanding Why Markovnikov’s Rule Works Let’s assemble all the facts we know about the reactions of alkenes with an acid like HCl so far. 1.Reactions
Read moreA Fourth Alkene Addition Pattern – Free Radical Addition
I’ve written that there are three major alkene reactivity patterns [carbocation, three membered ring, and concerted], but there are two minor pathways as well. This
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