Equation:
```
CH₃-C₆H₉ + Br₂ → CH₃-C₆H₉Br₂
```
Breakdown:
1. Reactants:
* 4-methylcyclohexene: This is an alkene, meaning it has a carbon-carbon double bond.
* Bromine (Br₂): This is a diatomic molecule, meaning it exists as two bromine atoms bonded together.
2. Mechanism:
* Electrophilic attack: The double bond in 4-methylcyclohexene acts as a nucleophile, attracting the electrophilic bromine molecule. One bromine atom breaks its bond with the other, and the bromine cation (Br⁺) attacks the double bond.
* Carbocation formation: This creates a carbocation intermediate, which is a positively charged carbon atom.
* Bromide ion attack: The bromide anion (Br⁻) from the broken bromine molecule then attacks the carbocation, forming a new carbon-bromine bond.
3. Product:
* 1,2-dibromo-4-methylcyclohexane: This is the final product, where two bromine atoms have been added across the double bond.
Important note: This reaction produces a stereoisomer mixture. The bromine atoms can add to the same side of the ring (syn addition) or opposite sides (anti addition). This results in a mixture of cis and trans isomers.
Let me know if you would like a more detailed explanation of the mechanism!