Question

This is a mechanism provided in a problem set in my ochem course.

As far as I know, double bond is electron rich, which is nucleophilic and attacks electrophilic species. In this case, why does one double bond attack another carbon in double bond?

IMO, wouldn't a SN2 reaction make more sense?

Answer 1

A nucleophilic addition reaction involves a nucleophile attacking the electrophilic carbon in a double bond to form a new single bond.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reaction you are referring to is known as a nucleophilic addition reaction.

In this type of reaction, a nucleophile attacks the electrophilic carbon in a double bond, resulting in the formation of a new single bond between the nucleophile and the carbon atom.

This is different from a SN2 reaction, which involves a nucleophile attacking a carbon atom that is attached to a leaving group.