Why peroxide effect is observed only in case of HBr ?
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In the presence of peroxide and light, addition of HBr to unsymmetrical alkenes occur contrary to Markovnikov's rule.
But HCl and HI do not show peroxide effect. Radical chain reactions are successful when propagation steps are exothermic. An endothermic propagation step is reversible and would break the chain. With HI, the first propagation step is endothermic, because H-I bond is weak. Moreover, HI is oxidized by peroxide to I2 under reaction conditions.
But HCl and HI do not show peroxide effect. Radical chain reactions are successful when propagation steps are exothermic. An endothermic propagation step is reversible and would break the chain. With HI, the first propagation step is endothermic, because H-I bond is weak. Moreover, HI is oxidized by peroxide to I2 under reaction conditions.
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