The halogenation of an alkane when there is an alkene present in the molecule does not proceed with the regioselectivity you might expect. Using principles similar to those developed in this chapter, rationalize the formation of A as the only product. We study this reaction further in Chapter 8.

In the presence of a small amount of bromine, cyclohexene undergoes the following light-promoted reaction:

d. Explain why cyclohexene reacts with bromine much faster than cyclohexane, which must be heated to react.

In the presence of a small amount of bromine, the following light-promoted reaction has been observed.

a. Write a mechanism for this reaction. Your mechanism should explain how both products are formed. (Hint: Notice which H atom has been lost in both products.)

The fact that allylic halogenation results in formation of the most stable alkene suggests that it is under thermodynamic control. Thus, the second propagation step must be reversible. Suggest an arrow-pushing mechanism by which the less stable allylic halide might equilibrate to the more stable allylic halide.

Draw the products of the following reactions, including all stereoisomers:

c.

The light-initiated reaction of 2,3-dimethylbut-2-ene with N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) gives two products:

a. Give a mechanism for this reaction, showing how the two products arise as a ­consequence of the resonance-stabilized intermediate.

The light-initiated reaction of 2,3-dimethylbut-2-ene with N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) gives two products:

b. The bromination of cyclohexene using NBS gives only one major product, as shown on the previous page. Explain why there is no second product from an allylic shift.