Halonium ion

Definition

A halonium ion is an intermediate species formed during the addition of a halogen (X2) to an alkene, characterized by a three-membered ring structure consisting of two carbon atoms and one halogen atom. This positively charged ion is highly reactive and plays a crucial role in facilitating the addition of halogens across the double bond of alkenes.

Related terms

Alkene:

Unsaturated hydrocarbons containing at least one carbon-carbon double bond, serving as the substrate for halogenation reactions.

Halogenation:

A chemical reaction that involves the addition of halogen atoms (such as chlorine or bromine) to other molecules, often resulting in dihalogenated products.

Dihalide: A type of organic compound that contains two halogen atoms attached to its molecular structure, typically formed as a product of alkene halogenation