Electrophilic addition reaction

Definition

An electrophilic addition reaction is a chemical process in which an electrophile reacts with a nucleophile, typically an alkene or alkyne, forming a new sigma bond by adding across the double or triple bond. This reaction is key in organic synthesis, resulting in the addition of atoms or groups to the carbon atoms involved in the multiple bond.

Related terms

Electrophile: A reagent attracted to electrons that typically participates in chemical reactions by accepting an electron pair in order to bond to a nucleophile.

Nucleophile: A chemical species that donates an electron pair to an electrophile to form a chemical bond in relation to reaction mechanisms.

Markovnikov's Rule: A rule used to predict the outcome of regioselective electrophilic addition reactions, stating that with unsymmetrical alkenes, the major product is the one formed by adding the hydrogen atom (from HX) to the carbon with more hydrogen atoms already attached