What is the Difference Between Markovnikov and Anti-Markovnikov Rule?

The Markovnikov and Anti-Markovnikov rules describe the regiochemistry of addition reactions involving unsymmetrical alkenes. These rules dictate where the nucleophile and hydrogen are added to the molecule, and they are essential for understanding the outcome of these reactions.

Markovnikov's Rule:

• In an unsymmetrical alkene addition reaction, the nucleophile and hydrogen are added to the double-bonded carbon atom on the opposite side of the more substituted carbon.
• This rule was discovered by Vladimir Markovnikov and helps predict the products of hydrohalogenation reactions with asymmetric alkenes.
• Examples of Markovnikov's rule include the addition of hydrogen bromide to propene.

Anti-Markovnikov Rule:

• In an unsymmetrical alkene addition reaction, the nucleophile and hydrogen are added to the double-bonded carbon atom on the same side as the less substituted carbon.
• This rule is less common than Markovnikov's rule and is typically observed in free radical reactions, especially when hydrogen peroxide is present.
• Examples of Anti-Markovnikov's rule include the addition of hydrogen bromide to propene in the presence of peroxide.

In summary, the main difference between Markovnikov's and Anti-Markovnikov rules is the side of the more or less substituted carbon to which the nucleophile and hydrogen are added during an unsymmetrical

Comparative Table: Markovnikov vs Anti-Markovnikov Rule

The main difference between Markovnikov and Anti-Markovnikov rules lies in the addition of atoms in asymmetrical alkenes. Here is a comparison table highlighting the key differences between the two rules:

Markovnikov's Rule states that in the hydrohalogenation reaction with an asymmetric alkene, the halogen prefers the more substituted carbon atom. This rule applies to electrophilic addition reactions, such as hydrogenation, halogenation, epoxidation, dihydroxylation, ozonolysis, and cyclopropanation. In contrast, the Anti-Markovnikov Rule follows a free radical chain reaction mechanism, where the proton of the alkene or alkyne is attached to the carbon atom with a minimum number of hydrogen atoms.