Home > Community > Mechanism for the addition of hydrogen iodide to 3,3‐dimethylbut‐1‐yne
Upvote

VOTE

Downvote
+ Rearrangements
+ Chemistry
Posted by
Lee Kresge

Mechanism for the addition of hydrogen iodide to 3,3‐dimethylbut‐1‐yne

David A Kelly  Follow

There seems to be an issue with both mechanisms on the front that an SN1 reaction would not take place since the carbocation formed is a vinylic carbocation which is highly unstable.

The actual reaction follows a termolecular mechanism where the rate of reaction is given to be:

$$\text{Rate}=[\ce{HX}]^2[\text{alkyne}]$$

Now, according to Advanced Organic Chemistry by Francis A. Carey, the reaction mechanism would be as follows:$^1$

Step $1$:

A concerted termolecular reaction...

This involves an acid/base reaction, protonation of the alkyne developing positive charge on the more substituted carbon. The π electrons act pairs as a Lewis base.

The other part is attack of the nucleophilic bromide ion on the more electrophilic carbocation creates the alkenyl bromide.

hydrohalogenation of alkyne

Step $2$:

In the presence of excess reagent, a second protonation occurs to generate the more stable carbocation.$^2$

carbocation formation

Step $3$:

Attack of the nucleophilic bromide ion on the electrophilic carbocation creates the geminal dibromide.

geminal dihalide formation

[$1$]: The reaction mechanism stated above uses $\ce{HBr}$ and not $\ce{HI}$ instead. However this reaction takes place for $\ce{HX}$.

[$2$]: The same reaction using $\ce{HI}$ would have a comparatively lower yield of the geminal product since geminal diiodides are unstable due to the steric hinderance posed by the large size of the iodine atoms.

More

Upvote

VOTE

Downvote