Oxymercuration demercuration reaction help.

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SUMMARY

The Oxymercuration-Demercuration reaction involves the addition of water across an alkene, specifically resulting in the attachment of the hydroxyl group (-OH) to the second carbon rather than the first. This occurs due to the mechanism of electrophilic addition, which operates through a cyclic transition state rather than forming a carbocation. The discussion clarifies that steric hindrance is not a significant factor in this reaction, as the reaction proceeds around the planar sp2 hybridized alkene structure.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Oxymercuration-Demercuration reaction mechanism
  • Knowledge of electrophilic addition reactions
  • Familiarity with sp2 hybridization in alkenes
  • Concept of transition states in chemical reactions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the mechanism of Oxymercuration-Demercuration in detail
  • Learn about electrophilic addition reactions and their characteristics
  • Explore the concept of transition states and their role in reaction pathways
  • Investigate the effects of steric hindrance in various organic reactions
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, organic chemists, and anyone studying reaction mechanisms in organic synthesis will benefit from this discussion.

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Homework Statement



See attachment there is reaction.why --OH attach to 2nd carbon. why not it attach first carbon(from left).

Homework Equations



steric hindrance

The Attempt at a Solution



there seems greater steric hindrance in right carbon(2nd from left) than left one.
 

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vkash said:

Homework Statement



See attachment there is reaction.why --OH attach to 2nd carbon. why not it attach first carbon(from left).

Homework Equations



steric hindrance

The Attempt at a Solution



there seems greater steric hindrance in right carbon(2nd from left) than left one.

Sterics is not really a factor with this type of a reaction, it is electrophillic addtion, which takes place around the planar sp2 alkene. If a carbocation were formed, a methyl shift would most likely result in the OH moving to the 3 degree carbon, however, the mercuration reaction proceeds via a ring transition state, no carbocation is formed.
 

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