CH.

Chapter 8
Addition Reactions to Alkenes

In this chapter will we study the addition reactions of alkenes. We will see that the
π−electrons of the double bond are loosely held and that their maximum electron density is
above and below the plane of the sigma framework of the alkene. These π−electrons are
therefore quite reactive as nucleophiles and we will see that we can add a variety of
electrophiles to the double bond.

R4 A B
R1
C C + A B R4 C C R1
R3 R2 R3 R2

Alkenes are unsaturated hydrocarbons, whereas alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons with
all of the valences filled with hydrogens. Unsaturated hydrocarbons such as alkenes have
valence sites available for the addition of more hydrogens.

Hydrogenation of Alkenes

Catalytic hydrogenation of alkenes is a very important reaction. Hydrogen atoms are

added to an unsaturated alkene (or an alkyne) to form a saturated alkane. A catalyst is
need. It can be palladium, platinum, nickel or rhodium.

H H H
H Pd
C C + H H H C C H ΔH = -136 KJ/mol
H H H H
The alkene gains two electrons, one
break one π−bond form two sigma bonds electron from each hydrogen atom.
12 electrons 14 electrons

The reaction is very favorable in terms of energy. It is highly exothermic since we break a
relatively weak π−bond and form two stronger C-H sigma bonds.

This reaction is a reduction reaction. The alkene is reduced to the alkane as it gains two
electrons and two hydrogen atoms, one electron from each hydrogen.

The reaction is very slow without the use of a metal catalyst. The role of the catalyst is to
provide a surface for the reaction to proceed. The metal helps to cleave the H-H bond to
make two hydrogen atoms and then to deliver the hydrogen atoms to the alkene that is also
held or coordinated to the metal surface there its empty d orbitals. This is shown
schematically below.

1
 CH. 6

H H H H
H H C C
H H H H C C H
H H
H

metal surface the metal coordinates the The metal coordinates the alkene,
H2 and cleaves the H-H breaking the π-bond to form two
bond to gform two H new sigma bonds to the metal
atoms bond to the metal. using the two π−electrons.

H H
H H H
H H C One of the H atoms inserts
+ H C H C H
into the metal-carbon bond to
C H
form a new sigma C-H bond.
H
The second H atom inserts in the second metal-
carbon bond to give the fully saturated and fully
reduced alkane. the metal is unchanged.

We can use the heat of hydrogenation as a good measure of alkene stability. The lower the
heat of hydrogenation, the more stable the alkene.

CH3CH2CH CH2 + H2 Pd CH3CH2CH2CH3 ΔH = -126 KJ/mol

mono-substituted
CH3 CH3
+ H2 Pd CH3CH2CH2CH3 ΔH = -119 KJ/mol
C C
H H
cis-disubstituted

H CH3
+ H2 Pd CH3CH2CH2CH3 ΔH = -115 KJ/mol
C C
CH3 H
trans-disubstituted

We can see that the most stable alkene is the trans-disubstituted alkene, because it has the
lowest heat of hydrogenation and therefore must be the lowest in energy. The cis-
disubstituted alkene is slightly higher in energy due to increased steric interaction between
the methyl groups on the same side of the ring. The mono-substituted alkene is the least
stable since it has the highest heat of hydrogenation. We can display this graphically:
126 KJ CH3CH2CH CH2
CH3 CH3 H CH3
119 KJ
C C C C
115 KJ
Energy

H H
CH3 H

2
 CH. 6

Recall Zaitsev’s rule: the more substituted with electron donating alkyl groups, the more
stable the alkene. We can now put this on a quantitative basis by comparing the heats of
hydrogenation.

Heat of Hydrogenation (KJ/mol)

H H H CH3 CH3 H CH3 CH3 CH3 CH3 CH3

CH2CH3
C C > C C C C > C C
C C > C C > >
H H H H CH3 H CH3 H CH3 CH3
H H
ΔH =-136 ΔH =-126 ΔH =-119 ΔH =-115 ΔH =-112 ΔH =-110
unsubstituted mono-subst. cis-disubst. trans-disubst. trisubst. tetra-subst.
least stable most stable

Stereochemistry

We see that both hydrogens are attached to the same face of the alkene due to coordination
by the metal catalyst surface. We call this syn addition. The reaction is completely
stereoselective. Two products are possible but only the syn addition product is formed.

When we have a cyclic alkene, we can see this syn addition product clearly. For example,
with 1,2-dimethylcyclohexene, we get only the cis-1,2-dimethylcyclhexane product.

CH3
CH3
H2 H cis product only
Pd H
CH3 CH3

With α−pinene, we get only the cis-product and we see that the hydrogen atoms add only
from the bottom, less hindered face away from the two methyl groups in the bridge.

bulky methyl groups shield the top face

CH3 CH3 CH3 CH3

CH3 CH3 H
H
H H2 NOT
H H
less H
hindered Pd CH3
CH3 100% 0%
H CH3
less hindered trans-pinane
cis-pinane

Addition of Hydrogen Halides, HX

3
 CH. 6

We can add hydrogen halides, H-X to alkenes to give alkyl halides.

General reaction
R4 R1 H X
C C + H X R4 C C R1 alkyl halide
R3 R2
R3 R2

Ex:
CH3CH2 CH2CH3 H Br
C C + H Br CH3CH2 C C CH2CH3
H H
H H

The mechanism involves nucleophilic attack by the π−electrons of the double bond on the
partial positive charge of the hydrogen attached to the bromine. This hydrogen is the
electrophile. A carbocation intermediate is formed and Br- is produced. The second step
involves nucleophilic attack of the bromine anion on the carbocation to form the alkyl
halide.

δ+ H
CH3CH2 CH2CH3
C C + H Br CH3CH2 C C CH2CH3 + Br
δ−
H H H H

H Br
CH3CH2 C C CH2CH3
H H

The rate of the reaction with different alkyl halides parallels the acid strength of the alkyl
halide.

H I > H Br > H Cl >> H F

most acidic least acidic

slowest
fastest

The π−electrons of the alkene are exposed above and below the plane of the sigma
framework and reactive toward positively charged electrophiles.
H Br
δ+ δ−
R4 R1
R3 R2

4
 CH. 6

Regioselectivity

In an unsymmetrical alkene, there is a choice as to where the hydrogen will add and where
carbocation will form and subsequently where the nucleophilic halogen will attack. This is
called the regioselectivity of the reaction.

The regioselectivity of addition to alkenes is given by Markovnikov’s rule after the famous
Russian chemist who formulated it in 1870. There are several ways to state this rule.

The original formulation states that when an unsymmetrical alkene reacts with an
hydrogen halide, the hydrogen adds to the carbon that already has more hydrogens and the
halogen adds to the carbon with the least hydrogens.

CH3CH2CH CH2 + H Br CH3CH2CH CH2

Br H
H H H
+ H Cl Cl
CH3
CH3

A more modern and more general formulation of the rule is to simply state that the
hydrogen or electrophile adds to the alkene so as to form the more stable carbocation.
The halogen (nucleophile) then adds to this carbocation. The result is that the halogen
becomes attached to the more substituted carbon.

H Br H
H Br Br
CH3CH2CH CH2 + CH3CH2 C C H CH3CH2 C C H
4 3 2 1 2 1
H H H H
H adds to C1
H adds to C2 secondary The halide adds to C2.
carbocation
H lower in energy
CH3CH2 C C H NOT FORMED
2 1
H H
primary carbocation - higher in energy

According to Hammond’s postulate there is a late transition state since the first step of the
reaction is endothermic. Therefore there is lots of (+) charge in the transition states. Since
alkyl groups are electron-donating groups, the transition state that has the (+) charge
developing at the carbon with the more alkyl substituents will be lower in energy.

5
 CH. 6

H
CH3CH2 C C H primary Primary carbocation is higher in energy
HH
than the secondary carbocation;
therefore it forms more slowly.
Energy

H
CH3CH2 C C H H Br
H H CH 3 CH 2 C C H
secondary H H
CH3CH2CH CH2
+ Br H
H Br CH3CH2 C C H
H H

Rearrangements

As a general rule, whenever there is a carbocation intermediate, we will see

rearrangements and we do see them in the addition of hydrogen halides to alkenes. The
fact that rearranged products are observed, confirms the existence of the carbocation
intermediates.

CH3 CH3 CH3

H Cl
CH3 C CH CH2 CH3 C CH CH3 + CH3 C CH CH3
0°C
H H Cl Cl H
40% 60%

The reaction proceeds by means of a hydride shift to form the more stable, tertiary
carbocation.

CH3 CH3 H H
H Cl
CH3 C CH CH2 CH3 C CH CH2 CH3 C CH CH3 Hydride shift to give
0°C a tertiary carbocation.
H H CH3
Cl
In the first step, according to Cl
Markovnikov's rule, the hydrogen
electrophile adds to the carbon with Cl
the more hydrogens so as to form CH3 CH3 C CH CH3
the secondary carbocation.
CH3 C CH CH3 CH3 H
H Cl

Note that a methyl shift would simply form another secondary carbocation so this shift
does not occur. The rearrangement occurs because a higher energy intermediate is
transformed into a lower energy one.

6
 CH. 6

Addition of Sulfuric Acid to Alkenes

Sulfuric acid will add to alkenes in accordance with Markovnikov’s rule with the initial
hydrogen adding to the less substituted carbon (i.e. the carbon with the more hydrogens).

O
OH
O S
R4 R1 H O
O
C C + H O S OH R4 C C R1
R3 R2 O R3 R2
sulfuric acid
Alkene alkyl hydrogen sulfate

For example:
O O
HO
O S OH S
CH3CH2 H O H O H
O
C C + H O S OH CH3CH2 C C H O CH3CH2 C C H
CH3 H O CH3 H CH3 H

The alkyl hydrogen sulfates can be converted into alcohols by heating them with water.
This is an example of a hydrolysis reaction (i.e. cleavage of a bond by reaction with water).

O H2O H
HO O H
S HO O H O
O H HO OH
O H S O
O O H S O H
H H O O H
CH3CH2 C C O CH3CH2 C C H + H O S OH
CH3CH2 C C H
CH3 H CH3CH2 C C H O
CH3 H CH3 H
CH3 H

OH H
CH3CH2 C C H
CH3 H

Overall, these two steps represent a hydration of the alkene. This reaction is synthetically
useful only for mono- and di-substituted alkenes. Tri- and tetra-substituted alkenes
undergo polymerization reactions, as will be discussed later in this chapter.

Acid Catalyzed Hydration of Alkenes

Water can also be added to alkenes using aqueous acid. This reaction is the exact reverse
of the dehydration reaction and proceeds in accordance with Markovnikov’s rule.

7
 CH. 6

H
R4 R1 H O
H2O
C C + H3O+ R4 C C R1
R3 R 2
R3 R2

According to Le Chatelier’s principle, we drive the reaction in favor of hydration by using

an excess of water with acid catalysis. We drive the reaction in favor of dehydration by
using anhydrous conditions with sulfuric acid and removal of the water as it is formed.

For example:

H2O
H H
O H H
CH3 H H O H O H
H2O H
C C + H3O+ CH3 C C H CH3 C C H CH3 C C H
CH3 H
CH3 H CH3 H CH3 H

The proton adds to the less substituted The carbocation undergoes nucleophilic attack by
carbon so as to form the more water. The extra proton is then transferred to
substituted and stable carbocation. another molecule of solvent water, acting as a base,
so as to form the more substituted alcohol.

The first step of the reaction – the formation of the carbocation – is the slow step. We can
see this clearly by comparing the relative rates of hydration of differentially substituted
alkenes. Alkenes which lead to tertiary carbocations in the first step react 1011 times more
rapidly than alkenes that lead to primary carbocations.

realtive rate carbocation intermeidate

CH2 CH2 1 CH3 CH2 primary

CH3 CH CH2 1.6 X 106 CH3 CH secondary

CH3
CH3 C CH2 2.5 X 1011 CH3 C CH3 tertiary
CH3 CH3

As we noted, acid catalyzed hydration is the exact reverse of acid catalyzed dehydration.

H H
O H H H
H3O+ O H CH3 H
CH3 C C H CH3 C C H C C
CH3 C C H
CH3 H CH3 H CH3 H
CH3 H OH2

8
 CH. 6

Thermodynamics of Addition-Elimination Equilibria

For the hydration-dehydration reaction:

H
R4 R1 H O
H2O
C C + H3O+ R4 C C R1
R3 R2
R3 R2

Le Chatelier’s principle states that a system at equilibrium adjust so as to minimize any

stress applied to it. In the hydration/dehydration reaction, the stress is the water. If there is
a large excess of water, the reaction will favor hydration, so as to use up the water. If there
is little or no water present, then the reaction will favor dehydration, so as to lower the
concentration of alkene.
Again:
To favor hydration – use large excess of water with a catalytic amount of acid.

To favor dehydration, use low concentration of acid and remove water and/or the
alkene as it forms.

At constant temperature and pressure, the spontaneous direction for a reaction is the one in
which the free energy will decrease. This is given by:

ΔG = Gproducts – Greactants spontaneous when ΔG < 0

A reaction in which ΔG decreases is said to be exergonic.

A reaction in which ΔG increases (ΔG > 1) is said to be endergonic.

When ΔH decreases (ΔH is negative) the react is exothermic. When ΔH increases (ΔH is
positive), the reaction is endothermic.

For:
aA + bB cC + dD

ΔG = ΔG° + RT ln [C]c [D]d R = 8.314 J/mol.K

[A]a [B]b T = temperature in K

At equilibrium, ΔG = 0

And
[C]c [D]d
K=
[A]a [B]b

9
 CH. 6

Therefore, ΔG° = -RT lnK (ΔG° = standard state values for the energy)

And, ΔG° = ΔH° - ΤΔS°

For the reaction the following reaction in the gas phase:

OH
CH3 ΔG° = -5.4 KJ Exergonic (spontaneous)
C CH2 + H2O CH3 C CH3
(liquid) ΔH° = -52.7 KJ Exergonic (spontaneous)
CH3 (gas) CH3 (liquid)
ΔS° = -0.16 KJ/K Decreases (unfavorable)

We see that the sign of ΔG° is negative. This is an exergonic reaction and the equilibrium
constant is greater than one (favorable).

Using the relationship ΔG° = ΔH° - ΤΔS° we can calculate the equilibrium constant, K, to
be 9 for this reaction.

The ΔH term is dominated by the bond strength. A negative ΔH almost always means that
bonding is stronger in the products than in the reactants. Stronger bonding reduces the free
energy of the products and contributes to a more negative ΔG.

The entropy term, ΔS°, is a measure of the increase or decrease in the disorder of the
system. A more ordered system has less entropy and is less probable than a more
disordered one.

For a chemical reaction, the main factor is the number of moles of material on each side of
the balanced equation and their physical states. A liquid phase has more entropy (less
order) than the solid phase and a gas phase has more entropy than a liquid phase.

Entropy increases when more molecules are formed from fewer ones. An example of a
reaction in which there is an increase in entropy is an elimination reaction in which one
molecule becomes two or three molecules (+ΔS°). In addition reactions, there is a decrease
in entropy (-ΔS°), since two molecules become one.

In the above addition reaction, the hydration of the alkene, the entropy decreases, thereby
increasing ΔG°, because two separate molecules, water and the 2-methylpropene, come
together to make one molecule, 2-methyl-2-propanol. The product is more ordered than
the starting materials.

In typical addition reactions of alkenes, the competition between addition versus

elimination is strongly temperature dependent.

10
 CH. 6

Addition is favored at low temperature. Elimination is favored at higher temperatures.

For:
CH2 CH2 (gas) + H2 (gas) CH3 CH3 (gas) ΔH° < 0

ΔH° is sufficiently negative that the equilibrium lies to the right at relatively low
temperatures. But at temperatures > 750°C, the TΔS° term dominates because the entropy
term is negative ((decrease in disorder) and so –(-TΔS°) becomes positive and dominates at
high temperatures. The equilibrium for this reaction shifts to the left for temperatures
above 750° C.

Hydroboration-Oxidation of Alkenes

Boron hydride addition to alkenes followed by oxidation will give alcohols in which the –
OH group is attached to the less substituted carbon, the opposite regiochemistry to that
observed with the simple acid catalyzed hydration of alkenes.

H
CH3 H O H
H2O
C C + OH group is attached to the
H3O+ CH3 C C H more substituted carbon.
CH3 H
CH3 H

CH3 H H BR2 H OH
oxidation
C C + R2B H CH3 C C H CH3 C C H
CH3 H CH3 H
boron hydride CH3 H

OH group is attached to the

less substituted carbon.

This very useful and important reaction was developed by H. C. Brown of Purdue
University who won the Nobel Prize in 1977 for this work.

The reaction proceeds by means of a one-step, concerted addition of the boron hydride to
the alkene. Hydrogen is more electronegative than boron, so the electrophile in this
reaction is boron. Note also that boron only has six electrons, so it is a very powerful
electrophile. In fact, the molecule shown below, borane (BH3) does not really exist as a
monomer. The boron can partially stabilize itself by forming a dimer, called diborane,
B2H6. Very often alkyl groups are substituted for two of the hydrogens on the borane to
form an organoborane. This stabilizes the molecule and makes it more bulky. This is
represented as R2BH. The larger the R groups the more selective the organoborane

11
 CH. 6

Boron is less electronegative than hydrogen, so the H H H

H B H B B
δ+ −
dipole moment puts a partial minus charge on
H δ hydrogen and a partial positive charge on boron. H H H
diborane, B2H6

As we have seen, according the Markovnikov’s rule, the electrophile adds to the less
substituted carbon so as to allow the positive charge to be supported at the more substituted
and therefore more electron rich carbon. In the present case, the addition of the
electrophile (the boron) and the nucleophile (the hydride) are concerted, so that there is no
real carbocation but there is some build-up of positive charge in the transition state. There
is a four-center transition state. The electrophilic boron adds to the less substituted carbon.
There are two reasons for this.

(1) The positive charge that does build up in the transition state is best supported by the
carbon that has the more alkyl substituents in accordance with Markovnikov’s rule.

(2) Another reason that the boron adds to the less substituted carbon is due to steric
hindrance. The organoboron hydride is generally fairly bulky and there is less steric
hindrance for addition to the less substituted carbon. In fact, the larger the R substituents
on the organoboron hydride, the greater the selectivity for addition of the organoborane to
the less substituted carbon.

Because this is a concerted, syn addition both the boron and the hydrogen are delivered
from the same side of the alkene to give a cis product.

The empty p orbital of the boron initially overlaps with the π−orbital of the alkene to form
a π−complex.

R
B R
H
The boron hydride with empty
CH 3 H p orbital interacts with the
filled π−orbtal of the alkene to
form a π−complex.
CH 3 H

CH3 H CH3 H
CH3 H CH3 H
δ+
C C CH3 C C H CH3 C C H
CH3 H CH3 B H H
H R H B R B R
H B R R δ−
R R
R
initial formation organoborane species
R = H or alkyl of a π−complex some positive charge builds up
in the transition state

12
 CH. 6

An organoborane species is formed as the product of the first reaction. This is a stable
molecule and can be isolated. Generally, however, it is not isolated but treated directly in
situ with an oxidizing agent such a hydrogen peroxide in aqueous sodium hydroxide. The
boron is replaced stereospecifically to give the cis alcohol.

CH3 H CH3 H
H2O2
CH3 C C H CH3 C C H
H NaOH, H2O H
B R OH
R

The mechanism involves nucleophilic attack on the boron by the deprotonated peroxide
anion. Then the carbon attached to the boron migrates from the boron to the first oxygen
of the peroxide, cleaving the very weak O-O bond to form the new C-O bond. Cleavage of
this species by the hydroxides and protonation of the oxyanion by water completes the
mechanism.

HO O H + Na+ OH HO O

CH3 H CH3 H
CH3 H
CH3 C C H CH3 C C H + HO
CH3 C C H
H H
H B O OH O
B R OOH R
B OH
R R R R

CH3 H CH3 H
CH3 C C H CH3 C C H + R B OH
H H R
OH O
H2O

We can see that it is a syn addition by looking at a cyclic example.

13
 CH. 6

H
H CH3
H BR2 H
H BR2
CH3 B
H
CH3 H H
HOOH
NaOH, H2O
H
CH3
OH
H

We do not see rearrangements since there is no carbocation intermediate in this concerted

addition.
CH3 CH3 CH3 CH3
1. H BR2 H H
CH3 C C C C CH3 CH3 C C C C CH3
H H 2. H2O2,
CH3 CH3 CH3 H OH CH3
NaOH, H2O

Addition of Halogens

Halogens will add to alkenes to form vicinal (neighboring) dihalides. The first halide adds
as the electrophile to form a halonium ion, a bridged species in which the halide is partially
bonded to both carbons of the alkene. The second halide then attacks this halonium ion
from the backside to give the trans product. Generally the reactions occur with no
rearrangements being observed.

R4 R1 X X
C C + X2 R4 C C R1 vicinal dihalide, X = Br, Cl
R3 R2
R3 R2

For example:

Br
H CH3
+ Br2
H
CH3 Br trans-1,2-dibromo-1-methylcyclopentane

The mechanism occurs by means of nucleophilic attack the π−electrons of the alkene on
the Br-Br bond. Though there is initially no dipole in the Br-Br bond, a dipole moment is
created as the π−electrons of the alkene approach. The two electrons in the Br-Br bond are

14
 CH. 6

pushed toward one of the Br’s as the π−electrons approach the other one. The bromonium
ion is created. One lone pair from the large, electron-rich bromine atom helps to stabilize
the adjacent carbocation by overlap with the p orbital. This stabilizes the carbocation
enough that no rearrangements are observed. It is not a real carbocation, though there is
some partial positive charge, which builds up at the more substituted carbon.

Br Br

Br Br C C
H
C H C H
CH3 CH3 CH3
Bromonium ion intermediate and resonance structure with
majority of (+) charge on the more substituted carbon.
Br
The bromine then attacks the +
more substituted carbon from Br δ
the side opposite to the Br
bromonium ion. The methyl CH3
moves up in the transition state. C
C H H
Br
CH3 δ−
Br

Halohydrin Formation

When an excess of water is used along with the halogen, a halohydrin is formed. A
halohydrin is a 1,2-hydroxy halide.

R4 R1 X OH
C C + X2 H2O
R4 C C R1 halohydrin, X = Br, Cl
R3 R2
R3 R2

First step in the mechanism is identical to that in the addition of halogen. We see a
halonium ion (either the bromonium ion or chlorinium ion). Then water, as the
nucleophile, attacks the more substituted carbon from the backside.

15
 CH. 6

Br Br

Br Br C C
H
C H C H
H2O
CH3 CH3 CH3
Bromonium ion intermediate and resonance structure with
O H majority of (+) charge on the more substituted carbon.
H
+
Br δ
Br Br
C CH3 CH3
C H H H
O O
CH3 δ− H2O H H H
O
H H

Water, present in much higher concentration than the Br-, acts as the nucleophile.
It attacks the more substituted carbon from the side opposite to the bromonium
ion. The methyl moves up in the transition state and we form the trans-1,2-bromo-
alcohol.

Epoxidation of Alkenes

Epoxides are three-membered ring ethers.

Nomenclature: In the IUPAC system, name the epoxides as “epoxy” derivatives of

alkanes, list the “expoxy” substituent in alphabetical order with the other substituents and
specify the position of the epoxide by two numbers.
O
O O CH3 H
CH2 CH2 CH2 CH CH3 O
CH3 CH3
ethylene oxide propylene oxide
(epoxy ethane) (1,2-epoxypropene) 1,2-epoxycyclohexane 2,3-epoxy-2-methylbutane

Epoxides can be made easily from alkenes in a one-step using a peroxy carboxylic acid.

R4 R1 O O O
R3 R1
C C + R C O OH + R C OH
R3 R2 R4 R2

A common peroxy acid is peroxy acetic acid. The reaction proceeds as a one-step
concerted syn addition.

16
 CH. 6

CH3 O
C O
CH3
H
O H
O
O H
H H H O H O
H O
C C H +
C
CH3 CH3 CH3 CH3 CH3 O
CH3 CH3

Electron donating groups on the double bond increase the rate of the reaction.

relative rate
CH2 CH2 1

22
CH3 CH CH2

484
(CH3)2C CH2

6526
(CH3)2C CH CH3

And:
O O
CH3 C O OH
H
H
H H

Ozonolysis of Alkenes

Alkenes can be cleaved to generate two carbonyl groups in place of the C=C bond using
the highly reactive reagent, ozone. Ozone is generated in situ from molecular oxygen
using a high intensity electric current.

O O neutral zwitterion
O O O O

Ozone adds to alkene in a concerted, one step reaction. The initial intermediate then
decomposes to form the semi-stable (explosive!) ozonide. This is then cleaved under
reductive conditions to give aldehydes, ketones depending on the substituents on the
alkene or carboxylic acids when cleaved under oxidative conditions.

17
 CH. 6

O O
O O O O R4 O O R4 O R1
R4
R4 R1 C C R1 C
O C C
R3 R2
R3 C R1 R3 O O R2
C C R2
R3 R2 unstable ozonide

work-up

O O
R4 C R3 R2 C R1

We can form a variety of products depending on (1) the substituents on the alkene and (2)
the work up conditions. Work up using reductive conditions [Zn, HCl or (CH3)2S] will
give aldehydes (if there is a hydrogen substituent on the alkene or ketones. Work-up using
oxidative conditions (H2O2, H2O) will give carboxylic acids instead of aldehydes if there is
at least one hydrogen on the alkene or ketones if there are no hydrogens on the alkenic
carbon.

For example:
H H O O
1. O3
C C CH3CH2CH2 C H + H C H
2. Zn, HCl
CH3CH2CH2 H

H CH3 O O
1. O3
C C CH3CH2 C H + H C CH3
2. (CH3)2S
CH3CH2 H

CH3 CH3 O O
1. O3
C C CH3CH2 C CH3 + HO C CH3
2. H2O2,
CH3CH2 H
H2O

Retrosynthetic Analysis and Alkene Intermediates

18