Electrophilic addition

In organic chemistry, an electrophilic addition (AE) reaction is an addition reaction where a chemical compound containing a double or triple bond has a π bond broken, with the formation of two new σ bonds.

In the second step of an electrophilic addition, the positively charge on the intermediate combines with an electron-rich species to form the second covalent bond.

The second step is the same nucleophilic attack process found in an SN1 reaction.

In all asymmetric addition reactions to carbon, regioselectivity is important and often determined by Markovnikov's rule.

Organoborane compounds give anti-Markovnikov additions.