Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Electrophilic Addition
Electrophilic addition is a fundamental reaction mechanism in organic chemistry where an electrophile reacts with a nucleophile, typically involving alkenes or alkynes. In this case, HBr acts as the electrophile, adding across the double bond of cyclohexene. This process results in the formation of a more stable product, often following Markovnikov's rule, which states that the more substituted carbon will bond with the electrophile.
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Markovnikov's Rule
Markovnikov's rule is a principle that predicts the outcome of the addition of HX (like HBr) to alkenes. It states that when HX adds to an asymmetric alkene, the hydrogen atom will attach to the carbon with the greater number of hydrogen atoms already attached, while the halide (Br in this case) will attach to the more substituted carbon. This rule helps in determining the major product of the reaction.
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Stability of Carbocations
The stability of carbocations is crucial in determining the major product of electrophilic addition reactions. Carbocations are positively charged carbon species that can form during the reaction. More substituted carbocations (tertiary > secondary > primary) are more stable due to hyperconjugation and inductive effects. In the reaction of HBr with cyclohexene, the formation of a more stable carbocation intermediate will favor the product that results from this pathway.
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