Why is #HBr# an electrophile?

1 Answer
anor277
Jan 26, 2017

Because bromine is electronegative with respect to hydrogen....

Explanation:

Because of the difference in electronegativity, we could represent the hydrogen bromide molecule as #""^(+delta)H-Br^(delta-)#; the hydrogen is conceived to have a partial positive charge and tends to react with electron-rich species such as #"olefins"#, or #"hydroxide ions"#.

With #"olefins"#:

#RCH=CH_2 + H-Br rarr Br^(-) + RH^(+)C-CH_3#

(the alternative substitution is thermodynamically disfavoured, cf. Markownikow's rule.)

And then,

#RH^(+)C-CH_3+Br^(-) rarrR(H)(Br)C-CH_2Br#

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