AS organic chemistry Flashcards
What is a homologous series?
Family of molecules that share similar properties, share the same general formula and share the same functional group.
Heterolytic fission
A covalent bond breaks and both electrons in the bonding pair go to one atom, creating two oppositely charged ions. Endothermic.
Homolytic fission
A covalent bond breaks and one electron each in the bonding pair goes to each atom, creating two free radicals. Exothermic.
Which out of homo/heterolytic fission is more likely?
Homolytic fission as it requires less energy.
Nucleophile
Electron pair donors. Negatively charged.
Electrophile
Electron pair acceptors. Positively charged.
Free radical
Unpaired electron. Will react with anything.
Chain isomers
Carbon skeleton arranged in a different way, e.g. straight chain or branched. Similar chemical properties but different physical.
Positional isomers
Skeleton and functional group same, functional group attached to different carbon atom. Different chemically and physically.
Functional group isomers
Same atoms arranged into different functional groups. Different chemically and physically.
General formula of cycloalkane
CnH2n.
Initiation step of chlorination of methane
UV light provides energy to break Cl-Cl bond to form two free radicals (homolytic fission).
Propogation step of chlorination of methane
Cl free radical attacks H-C bond forming a methyl radical (CH3) and HCl.
Methyl radical attacks another Cl2, forming CH3Cl and Cl free radical.
This Cl free radical can repeat propogation step.
Termination step
Two free radicals react together, forming stable molecule. This is rare because free radicals are sparse.
Further reaction of chloromethane in free radical subsitution
CH3Cl can react with another Cl free radical to form dichloromethane and again to form trichloromethane and then to tetrachloromethane. This means end product of free radical substitution is a mixture of molecules. Also forms structural isomers.
How to maximise chloromethane in free radical sub
Excess of methane. More chance of chlorine radical colliding only with methane.
Naming molecules, priority of functional groups
OH > double bond > alkyl group, halogen
Electrophilic addition of HBr on symmetrical alkenes
Positive dipole on H is attracted to the electron rich double bond.
Bond made between C and H, so bond broken between H and Br.
Carbocation intermediate formed which reacts with :Br- to form bromoalkane.
Electrophilic addition of Br-Br on symmetrical alkene
The double bond on the alkene polarises the Br-Br bond which forms an induced dipole.
The Br with delta+ is attracted to the double bond and forms a bond with the carbon.
Carbocation intermediate formed reacts with :Br- to form dibromoalkane.
How does the test for double bond work?
Add the orange bromine water to organic molecule sample. The Br2 will react via electrophilic addition with the double bond and form dibromoalkane which is colourless.
Hydrogenation conditions
Ni catalyst and 170C.
Hydrogenation
H2 added to alkene to make alkane. Ni catalyst and 150C.
What is E and Z in a geometric isomer?
Apart and together
How to assign priority in geometric isomer?
According to atomic number.
When is geometric isomer?
When there is a double bond because you cannot rotate a double bond.
Markovnikov’s rule
Addition of HX to an asymmetrical alkene will result in major product having the H attached to the C with the most H.
Markovnikov’s rule explanation
Major product is formed more readily because it forms a secondary carbocation which is more stable than a primary (+ve charge will be on the other C with more alkyl groups).