Halohydrin Formation Reaction

The halohydrin formation reaction is a chemical reaction in which a halogen is added to an alkene in aqueous solution to form a halohydrin. The reaction is a form of electrophilic addition; it is similar to the halogen addition reaction.

The basic chemical equation for this reaction is as follows:

C=C + X2 + H2O → X-C-C-OH (X represents a halogen, either Cl or Br).

The reaction occurs with anti addition, leaving the newly added X and OH groups in a trans configuration.

When bromination is desired, N-bromosuccinimide is preferable to bromine because fewer side-products are produced.

Read more about Halohydrin Formation Reaction:  Reaction Mechanism

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