In the addition of hypochlorous acid () to propene, which of the following represents the major prod — Reaction Mechanism Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

In $HOCl$, the chlorine atom is less electronegative than oxygen, generating a $Cl^+$ electrophile and an $OH^-$ nucleophile. The $Cl^+$ attacks the alkene first to form the more stable secondary carbocation intermediate at the central carbon (Markovnikov's rule). Subsequent attack by $OH^-$ on this secondary carbocation yields 1-chloro-2-propanol ($CH_3-CH(OH)-CH_2Cl$) as the major product.