What type of reactive intermediate is formed in the reaction of an alkene with Br₂ and H₂O to give a bromohydrin?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In this reaction, a cyclic bromonium ion is formed as the reactive intermediate, which is then attacked by water to yield the bromohydrin product. This is a well-known example of electrophilic addition of a halogen to an alkene, where the bromine is initially polarized by the pi-electrons of the double bond, leading to the formation of a positively charged bromine species (bromonium ion) that reacts with a nucleophile (water).

What Type of Reactive Intermediate Is Formed in the Reaction