Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Electrophilic Addition Reactions
Electrophilic addition reactions involve the addition of an electrophile to a nucleophile, typically across a double bond. In the case of alkenes, such as 1-phenylpropene, the π bond acts as a nucleophile, reacting with electrophiles like HBr. Understanding this mechanism is crucial for predicting the products formed during the reaction.
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Radical Mechanisms
Radical mechanisms involve the formation of free radicals, which are highly reactive species with unpaired electrons. The presence of di-tert-butyl peroxide in the reaction suggests a radical pathway, where the peroxide decomposes to generate radicals that can initiate the addition of HBr to the alkene. Recognizing this mechanism is essential for predicting the major products.
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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. This rule helps predict the regioselectivity of the reaction products, particularly in the case of asymmetric alkenes like 1-phenylpropene, guiding the formation of the more stable carbocation intermediate.
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