In the
first step of the mechanism for
addition reactions to alkenes the carbon-carbon double bond is the nucleophile. The more electropositive atom in the reagent is the electrophile.
This step involves simultaneous
- formation of a bond between one of the doubly bonded carbons and the more electropositive portion of the reagent
- breaking a bond in the reagent.
Because charge is conserved, electron movement in the first step results in two charged intermediates.
sIn the
second step of the mechanism a bond forms between the two intermediates.
The changes in charge are consistent with changes in electron ownership.
N– owns one fewer electron in the product than in the intermediate and N is one unit more positive.
The positive carbon in the carbocation owns one more electron in the product and this C is one unit more negative.