Alkenes Flashcards
What is an unsaturated hydrocarbon?
A hydrocarbon containing one or more carbon-carbon double or triple bonds.
What is the theoretical bond angle for a carbon-carbon double bond?
120 degrees (sp2 hybridization)
What causes deviations from the theoretical bond angle in alkenes?
Strain from nonbonded interactions created by groups bonded to the carbons of the double bond.
Describe the carbon-carbon double bond in an alkene using atomic orbitals
The double covalent bond consists of one sigma bond created from the overlap of two sp2 hybridized orbitals and a pi bond created from the parallel unhybridized p orbitals.
Why does a double bond restrict rotation?
The two carbon atoms and the four bonded atoms must lie in a plane for the unhybridized p orbitals to be parallel.
When is cis,trans system appropriate for naming an alkene?
When each carbon of the c=c bond bears a hydrogen
What are the four steps for naming a normal alkene?
- Number longest chain that contains double bond in the direction that gives the carbons of double bond the lowest number.
- Indicate double bond by the number of its first carbon
- Name substituent groups
- Put all the parts of the name together.
What is the IUPAC name for Methylene group?
Methylidene (CH2=R)
What is the IUPAC name and structure for Vinyl group?
Ethenyl (CH2=CH-R)
What is the IUPAC name for Allyl group?
2-Propenyl (CH2=CHCH2-R)
In cis,trans alkenes, what does cis mean?
molecules in which the carbon atoms of the main chain are on the same side of the double bond
In cis,trans alkenes, what does trans mean?
molecules in which the carbon atoms of the main chain are on opposite side of the double bond
When using E,Z naming system, how do you assign priority?
Priority is assigned by atomic number of atoms bonded directly to the carbons participating in double bond (higher atomic number is higher priority). Priority assignment is made at the first point of difference between groups.
What E,Z configuration is used if the groups of higher priority are on the SAME side of the double bond?
Z (German: zusammen)
What E,Z configuratoin is used if the groups of higher priority are on OPPOSITE sides of the double bond?
E (German: entgegen)
How are carbon atoms of cycloalkenes numbered?
The carbon atoms of the ring double bond are numbered 1 and 2; the direction is chosen by giving the first substituent the smallest number.
Describe the relative stability of cis,trans isomers of cycloalkenes (three components to answer)
(1) Cis cycloalkenes are generally more stable than trans cycloalkenes; (2) the latter is only stable enough to exist with rings of 8 carbons or greater. (3) For rings greater than 11 carbons, trans cycloalkenes are more stable.
What causes the relative instability of the trans isomers of cycloalkenes?
The trans double bond causes a strong twisting of the ring which creates high ring strain.
In bycyclic alkenes, what position of the double bond causes the highest strain?
Double bond is placed at a bridge head carbon (a carbon shared by both rings)
How do you change the infix -en- for an alkene containing two or more double bonds?
-adien-, -atrien-, and so on
For an alkene containing “n” double bonds, how many stereoisomers are possible?
2^n
What is the only intermolecular forces between molecules of an alkene?
Dispersion forces
Alkenes of what number of carbons are gas at room temperature?
up to four carbons
What is significant about the bond between a sp3 hybridized carbon and a sp2 hybridized carbon?
The sigma bond formed between an sp3 and a sp2 overlap is stronger than an sp3 and sp3 overlap.