Predict the major product of the following reaction.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The reaction between 2-methyl-2-butene and HBr in the presence of peroxides follows a radical mechanism. In the first step, initiation, peroxides undergo homolysis to form two radicals. In the second step, propagation, one of the radicals adds to the double bond of 2-methyl-2-butene to form a more substituted radical. In the third step, propagation, the HBr adds to the radical to form the product. The most stable radical intermediate in this case is a tertiary radical, which leads to the most stable product, II.

Predict the Major Product of the Following Reaction