Alkenes Flashcards
What do alkenes contain?
One or more carbon-to-carbon double bond
What is the general formula of aliphatic hydrocarbons?
C(n)H(2n)
Where is a pi bond formed from?
The sideways overlap of two p-orbitals one from each carbon atom of the double bond
Where is pi bond electron density concentrated?
Above and below the plane of nuclei of bonded atoms
What do pi bonds prevent? How?
Rotation around the double bond, due to the lock of the two carbon atoms leading to concentrated electron density above and below the plane of atom.
What is the shape around the carbon atoms in double bond of an alkene?
Trigonal Planar- three areas of electron density around each of the carbon atoms
Define stereoisomers
Same structural formula but a different arrangement of the atoms in space
Why does stereoisomerism occur?
Due to the restricted rotation around the double bond, and therefore the groups attached to each carbon are fixed relative to each other.
What two conditions have to be fulfilled for E/Z isomerism?
A C=C double bond
Different groups attached to each carbon atom of the double bond
What condition has to be different for cis-trans isomerism than E/Z isomerism?
In cis-trans isomerism one of the attached groups on the each carbon atom on the double bond must be the same.
What does a cis-isomer have?
The hydrogen atoms and methyl groups on each carbon in the double bond are on the same side.
What doe a trans-isomer have?
The hydrogen atoms and methyl groups on each carbon in the double bond are opposite each other.
What occurs in a Z isomer?
The groups with higher priority are on the same side
What occurs in a E isomer?
The groups with higher priority are diagonally placed across the double bond
How is priority assigned?
Based on atomic number. The higher the atomic number, the higher the priority.
What happens if the atom attached to carbon atom is the same when assigning priority?
Keep going along the molecule until reaches a difference