Electrophilic addition reactions proceed in two steps. The first step involves the addition of an electrophile. Name the type of intermediate formed in the first step of the following addition reaction.

H3C – HC = CH2 + H+


The electron density from the pi bond attracts proton(H+). This H+ can substituted at either of the carbons with the pi bond. But we observe that the H+ gets substituted at the terminal carbon(less substituted carbon) exclusively to give a more stable secondary carbocation. This preference to form more stable carbocation is called Markownikoff’s rule.

1