17. organic 2 Flashcards
what is a chiral centre
a carbon atom with four different groups bonded around it so the molecule has no line of symmetry
what are optical isomers
a type of stereoisomerism where the molecules have the same molecular formula but a different spatial arrangement of atoms.
this creates two isomers that are mirror images of each other.
what are optical isomers called
enantiomers
what is an enantiomer
an optical isomer that effect plane polarised light.
each enantiomer causes the rotation of plane polarised light in opposite directions.
what is a racemic mixture
when optical isomers are produced as enantiomers in a 1 to 1 ratio so the effect on plane polarised light is 0 as the opposite direction of rotation cancel out. the mixture produced is optically inactive
what is nucleophilic substitution SN1
SN1 reactions proceed via a planar carbocation intermediate meaning the nucleophile can attack via either face of the compound. this means the product is a racemic micture
what is nucleophilic substitution SN2
occur in a single step since the nucleophile attacks while simultaneously the leaving group is removed. this means there is only one direction of attack meaning one enantiomer is produced
what is nucleophilic addition
nucleophiles are able to attack a molecule with a carbonyl group from above or below the planar carbon oxygen double bond.
what is a carbonyl compound
organic compounds containing a carbonyl group C=O
common examples are aldehydes and ketones
properties of carbonyl compounds
soluble in water as they can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules
what is an aldehyde
functional group -CHO
they are produced by oxidation and distillation of primary alcohols
how do aldehydes form carboxylic acids
oxidation with acidified potassium dichromate
