Identify the major product [ X ] in the following reaction: [ (ii) H ₂ O ₂ / NaOH ] (i) BH ₃ [ X ]

Step-by-step solution

The given reaction is the hydroboration-oxidation of an alkene. The reagents used are (i) BH ₃ and (ii) H ₂ O ₂ / NaOH . This reaction sequence leads to the anti-Markovnikov addition of water ( H ₂ O ) across the carbon-carbon double bond. In the reactant, 2-methylpropene ( ( CH ₃)₂ C = CH ₂ ), the terminal carbon is less substituted (less sterically hindered) than the internal carbon. During hydroboration, the boron atom adds to the less hindered terminal carbon, and hydrogen adds to the more substituted internal