Markovnikov spelling

An article in the December 1988 issue of the Journal of Chemical Education traces the historical development of Markovnikov s rule In that article Markovnikov s name is spelled Markow nikoff which is the way it appeared in his original pa per written in German... 

Hosokawa et al. clearly spelled out the heteroatom coordination theory in explaining their region-selective formation of aldehydes.20 Terminal olefin 13 was converted to a mixture of aldehyde 14 and methyl ketone 15, with aldehyde 14 as the major product (14/15 = 70/30). The authors explained that Pd(II) coordinated with both oxygen of the amide as well as the olefin as depicted in intermediate 16, which blocked the normal Markovnikov hydration position and the addition of the peroxide took place at the terminal position as... 

Aleksandr Mikhailovich Zaitsev (sometimes spelled as Saytseff, 1841-1910), like Markovnikov, was also a protege of Aleksandr Mikhailovich Butlerov (1828-1882). But unlike Markovnikov s lack of tact and inability to compromise with administrators, Zaitsev was a skilled politician. He held the position of chair at Kazan University for over four decades and educated a generation of organic chemistry. 

The spelling currently popular is Markovnikov, although different spellings were used in the first publications in German and French (a) Markownikoff, W. Liebigs Ann. Chem. 1870,153,228 (particularly the discussion beginning on p. 256) (b) Markovnikoff, V. Compt. Rend. 1875,81,668. 

Actually, Markovnikov stated the rule a little differently. The form given here is easier to remember and apply. For an interesting historical article on what he actually said, when he said it. and how his name is spelled, see... 

The electron-rich alkene double bond reacts with a proton (H ), or with HX, so as to form the most stable intermediate carbocation. The addition is regioselective and the so-called Markovnikov (also spelled Markownikoff) product is formed. If a peroxide (ROOR) is added, the reaction gives the anti-Markovnikov product the mechanism changes to one that involves radical intermediates (Section 6.2.2.1). 

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