- Markovnikov’s rule comes from which carbocation is more stable, which has a lower

energy level
 C connected to more H is more likely to gain more H, C attached to more
functional groups is more likely to gain more functional groups
 Carbocation bonded to more electron-rich molecules or atoms is going to be
more stable (greater ability to borrow electrons )
- Stabilty: Tertiary > secondary > primary
 Tertiary carbon means bonded to three other carbons
 Secondary carbo(catio)n means bonded to two other carbons
 Primary carbo(catio)n means bonded to only one other carbon

- Addition of water (acid-catalyzed) mechanism

 Acidic environment, catalyzed by hydronium ion (H3O+)
 The O in H2O has 2 lone pairs e-, shares one of the lone pairs with a
hydrogen proton, making entire molecule +
 Pretty reactive bc O is quite electronegative, it likes to keep its electrons
 In the presence of an acid, you gain 2H and 1O, what you need to make H2O