17A. Organic Chemistry II [SET 1] Flashcards
What type of isomerism is optical isomerism?
Stereoisomerism
What are structural isomers?
Compounds with the same molecular formula but with different structural formula
What are functional group isomers?
They differ because they have different functional groups
What are chain isomers?
Differ because they have different patterns of branching in their carbon chains
What are positional isomers?
Differ because the same functional group is attached to different carbon atoms in the chain
What are stereoisomers?
Have the same structural formula but differ because their atoms or groups are arranged differently in three dimensions
What are geometric isomers?
Differ because their atoms or groups are attached at different positions on opposite sides of a C-C double bond
What is chirality?
Two or more molecules that appear identical but cannot be superimposed onto one another.
What are chiral centres?
Carbons with four different atoms or groups attached
What is plane polarised light?
Light in which oscillations exist in planes at right angles to the direction of travel.
What can be used to convert unpolarised light into plane polarised light?
Materials such as Polaroid, which absorb all of the oscillations expect those in a single plane
What is polarimetry?
The use of a polarimeter to measure the amount of optical activity, if any, of a substance.
What is a monochromatic light source?
One of only one colour or frequency
What is a polariser?
A polarising filter that converts unpolarised light into plane polarised light
What happens in a polarimeter if a substance is optically active?
The plane of polarisation will be rotated so it is no longer vertical - Clockwise = dextrorotatory, Anticockwise = laevorotatory
What is the second polarising filter in a polarimeter called?
The analyser
What does the analyser do?
It is rotated to a position here the maximum light intensity can be seen. The angle of rotation is measured and quoted.
Do enantiomers have identical physical properties?
Yes - apart from the direction in which they rotate plane polarised light.
Do enantiomers have identical chemical properties?
Yes - apart from the way they react with enantiomers of other substances
What is a racemic mixture?
One containing equal amounts of two enantiomers.
What does SN2 indicate?
S = substitution N= nucleophillic 2=bimolecular and second order
What does SN1 indicate?
S = Substitution N = Nicleophillic 1 = unimolecular and first order
How can optical activity be used as evidence for SN2?
Because of the inversion that occurs in the SN2 mechanism, the optical activity of the product is different to that of the reactant. If the reactant is dextrorotatory, the product will be laevorotatory and vice versa.
How can optical activity be used as evidence for SN1 mechanisms?
If the reaction is via SN1, there will be no optical activity in the product.
What is a carbonyl group?
C=O
What compounds are classified as carbonyl compounds?
Aldehydes and Ketones
What defines an aldehyde?
A hydrogen joined to a carbonyl group
What defines a ketone?
If there are only hydrocarbon groups joined to the carbonyl
How do carbonyl groups affect bonding?
They form polar bonds, because oxygen is much more electronegative than carbon
What are the physical properties on aldehydes?
The have distinctive smells - short carbon chains = unpleasant, long carbon chains = pleasant
What are the relative boiling points of aldehydes, ketones, alcohols and alkanes?
Alkanes < Aldehydes < Ketones < Alcohols
Why do aldehydes and ketones have lower boiling points than alcohols?
They have intermediate intermolecular forces, only dipole dipole, so hydrogen bonds are not able to form because all the hydrogen atoms are attached to carbon atoms only.
How soluble are aldehydes and ketones?
Smaller aldehydes and ketones are soluble because they can form hydrogen bonds with water. Solubility decreases with chain length
What can aldehydes and ketones be reduced to?
Alcohols
What is the reagent for reduction of aldehydes and ketones?
Lithium Aluminium Hydride
How are reductions of carbonyl compounds carried out?
With both the carbonyl and reducing agent in dry ether
What reagents can be used to oxides aldehydes to carboxylic acids?
Acidified potassium dichromate, Fehling’s, Benedict’s, Tollens’
What is the colour change for acidified potassium dichromate?
Orange —-> green
What is the colour change for Fehling’s?
Deep blue solution —-> red precipitate