The addition of a hydrogen halide (hydrogen bromide or hydrogen chloride) to 1-phenyl 1,3-butadiene produces (only) 1-phenyl- 3-halo-1-butene.
(a) Write a mechanism that accounts for the formation of this product.
(b) Is this 1,4 addition or 1,2 addition to the butadiene system?
(c) Is the product of the reaction consistent with the formation of the most stable intermediate carbocation?
(d) Does the reaction appear to be under kinetic control or equilibrium control? Explain.