Skip to main content
Ch.8 - Reactions of Alkenes
Wade - Organic Chemistry 9th Edition
Wade9th EditionOrganic ChemistryISBN: 9780135213728Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 8, Problem 13a

Predict the major products of the following reactions. Include stereochemistry where applicable.
(a) 1−methylcyclohexene + BH3⋅THF then H2O2, OH

Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Recognize the reaction type. The given reaction involves hydroboration-oxidation, which is a two-step process used to convert alkenes into alcohols. This reaction proceeds with anti-Markovnikov addition and syn stereochemistry.
Step 2: Analyze the structure of the starting material. The starting material is 1-methylcyclohexene, which is a cyclic alkene with a methyl group attached to the double bond. The double bond is the reactive site in this reaction.
Step 3: In the first step, BH3⋅THF adds to the alkene. Boron (BH3) adds to the less substituted carbon of the double bond (anti-Markovnikov addition), while hydrogen adds to the more substituted carbon. This step occurs with syn stereochemistry, meaning both boron and hydrogen add to the same face of the double bond.
Step 4: In the second step, the boron is replaced by a hydroxyl group (-OH) through oxidation using H2O2 and OH-. The hydroxyl group retains the same stereochemistry as the boron in the previous step, resulting in syn addition of the -OH and H groups.
Step 5: Predict the major product. The major product will be an alcohol with the hydroxyl group attached to the less substituted carbon of the original double bond. Ensure to include stereochemistry in the product, as the addition is syn.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
8m
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Hydroboration-Oxidation

Hydroboration-oxidation is a two-step reaction process used to convert alkenes into alcohols. In the first step, borane (BH3) adds across the double bond of the alkene in a syn addition, resulting in a trialkylborane intermediate. The second step involves oxidation with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydroxide (OH-), which replaces the boron atom with a hydroxyl group, yielding an alcohol with anti-Markovnikov orientation.
Recommended video:
Guided course
06:38
General properties of hydroboration-oxidation.

Stereochemistry

Stereochemistry refers to the study of the spatial arrangement of atoms in molecules and how this affects their chemical behavior. In reactions involving alkenes, stereochemistry is crucial as it determines the configuration of the resulting products. For example, syn and anti additions can lead to different stereoisomers, which can have distinct physical and chemical properties.
Recommended video:
1:38
Polymer Stereochemistry Concept 1

Markovnikov's Rule

Markovnikov's Rule states that in the addition of HX to an alkene, the hydrogen atom will attach to the carbon with the greater number of hydrogen atoms already attached, while the halide (or other substituent) will attach to the carbon with fewer hydrogen atoms. In the context of hydroboration-oxidation, the reaction proceeds via anti-Markovnikov addition, where the hydroxyl group ends up on the less substituted carbon, which is a key aspect to consider when predicting the major products.
Recommended video:
Guided course
03:54
The 18 and 16 Electron Rule