Hydrogen: Alkenes react by addition with H
2 to give an alkane. For this reaction to proceed at a reasonable rate, a metal catalyst must be present to activate the H
2 toward reaction.
Halogens: Alkenes react by addition with halogens (Br
2, Cl
2) to give dihaloalkanes with the halogen atoms on adjacent carbon atoms. A single product is formed because the two parts of the reagent are the same.
Hydrogen halides:Alkenes react by addition with HX (HCl or HBr) to give monohaloalkanes. As this reagent has two different parts, two different haloalkanes form
except if the groups at one doubly-bonded carbon are the same as the groups at the other one..
Concentrated sulfuric acid then water: Alkenes react by addition with concentrated sulfuric acid (H2SO4). Adding water to the sulfate product formed gives the alcohol. The H+ activates the double bond toward reaction. This reagent is asymmetric; therefore two alcohols form if the alkene is asymmetric.