4 Analyzing Organic Reactions Flashcards
Lewis Acid
electron acceptor in formation of covalent bond
often electrophiles
vacant p-orbitals
positively polarized atoms
Lewis Base
electron donor in formation of a covalent bond
often nucleophiles
coordinate covalent bond
Lewis acid + Lewis base
both electrons come from the same starting atom (Lewis base)
Bronsted-Lowry Acid
species that can donate a proton [H+]
Bronsted-Lowry Base
species that can accept a proton
amphoteric molecule
example?
ability to act as an acid OR base
ex. water
acid dissociation constant (Ka)
equation
strength of acid in solution
Ka = ([H+][A-]) / [HA],
for HA <–> H+ + A-
pKa = ?
-logKa
more acidic solution’s = ?(higher/lower pKa)
lower pKa
pKa < -2
strongly acidic
pKa = -2 to 2
weak organic acids
alpha-hydrogens
VERY acidic
connected to alpha-carbon of carbonyls
stabilized by enol form resonance
nucleophiles
nucleophilicity and charge
nucleophilicity increases with increasing electron density (more negative charge)
nucleophilicity and electronegativity
nucleophilicity decreases as electronegativity increases (atoms less likely to share electron density)
nucleophilicity and steric hindrance
bulkier molecules are less nucleophilic
nucelophilicity and solvent
polar protic solvents?
polar aprotic solvents?
protic solvents can hinder nucleophilicity by protonating the nucleophile or through hydrogen bonding
polar protic solvents: nucleophilicity increases DOWN periodic table (protons are attracted to nucleophile and get in the way)
polar aprotic solvents: nucleophilicity increases UP periodic table (directly relates to basicity)
“electron-loving”
species with positive charge/positively polarized atom
tend to be good acids
electrophiles
increasing electrophilicity
more positive charge
better leaving groups
leaving groups
molecular fragmetns that retain electrons after heterolysis
best LGs are able to stabilize extra electrons
best leaving groups
weak bases (conjugate bases of strong acids lie I-, Br-, Cl-)
increased resonance
inductive effects from electron-withdrawing groups
delocalize/stabilize negative charge
SN1 reactions
- rate-limiting step: LG leaves, positively-charged carbocation remain
- nucleophilic attack on carbocation yields subsitution product