Carbonyls Flashcards
What are aldehydes?
The carbonyl C=O group is at the end of the carbon chain.
The carbon atom is attached to one or two hydrogen atoms.
Structural formula is CHO.
What are ketones?
The carbonyl C=O functional group is joined to two carbon atoms in the carbon chain (middle).
Structural formula is CO.
How are carbonyl compounds named?
-al for an aldehyde.
-one for a ketone, ketones need numbering.
What is the oxidation of aldehydes?
Aldehydes are oxidised to carboxylic acids when refluxed with acidified potassium dichromate (VI) ions, K2Cr2O7, and dilute H2SO4.
Ketones do not undergo oxidation, so this lack of reactivity is used to distinguish between this and aldehydes.
What is the C=O bond of carbonyls?
This is responsible for the reactivity of the ketones and aldehydes.
It is made up of a σ-bond and π-bond.
(Draw diagram)
The π bond is above and below the plane of the carbon and oxygen atoms, formed by the sideways overlap of p oribtals.
Why do carbonyls not react in the same way to alkenes?
The C=C bond in alkenes is non-polar.
The C=O bond in carbonyls is polar.
Oxygen is more electronegative than carbon, so the electron density is closer to the oxygen than carbon atom.
This makes the carbon slightly positive and oxygen slightly negative.
What reactions do carbonyls and alkenes undergo?
Due to the polarity of the C=O bond, aldehydes and ketones react with some nucleophiles.
A nucleophile is attracted to and attacks the slightly positive carbon atom resulting in addition across the C=O bond.
Carbonyls - nucleophilic addition, alkenes - electrophilic addition.
What is the reduction of aldehydes?
Aldehydes are reduced to primary alcohols by NaBH4.
Usually warmed in aqueous solution.
CH3CH2CHO + 2[H] —> CH3CH2CHOH
Make sure to include 2 of the reducing agent [H].
What is the reduction of ketones?
Ketones are reduced to secondary alcohols by NaBH4.
Usually warmed in aqueous solution.
CH3COCH3 + 2[H] —> CH3CHOHCH3
Make sure to include 2 of the reducing agent [H].
What is the mechanism for reduction of a carbonyl by nucleophilic addition?
(Draw)
NaBH4 contains the hydride ion :H-, which acts as the nucleophile.
The lone pair of electrons from :H- is attracted and donated to the S+ C atom in the C=O bond.
The π-bond in the C=O bond breaks by heterolytic fission, forming a negative intermediate.
The oxygen atom of the intermediate donates a lone pair to a hydrogen atom in a water molecule.
The intermediate has been protonated to form an alcohol.
What is hydrogen cyanide?
Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) adds across the C=O bond of aldehydes and ketones.
HCN is a colourless, poisonous liquid that boils at room temperature, so cannot be used safely.
Sodium cyanide (NaCN) and sulfuric acid are used to provide the hydrogen cyanide, but are still hazardous.
What is the reaction of carbonyl compounds with HCN?
This reaction increases the length of the carbon chain.
CH3CH2CHO + HCN –H2SO4/NaCN–> CH3CH2CHOHCN
The organic product formed contains a hydroxyl group -OH and a nitrile group C≡N, classified as hydroxynitriles.
What is the mechanism for the reaction of carbonyls with HCN by nucleophilic addition?
(Draw)
The cyanide ion :CN- attacks the electron deficient carbon atom in the carbonyl.
The lone pair of electrons from :CN- is attracted and donated to the S+ carbon atom in the C=O bond, a dative covalent bond forms.
The π-bond in the C=O bond breaks by heterolytic fission, forming a negative intermediate.
The intermediate is protonated by donating a lone pair of electrons to a hydrogen ion to form the product, a hydroxynitrile.
What is the trick for finding the origin of hydroxynitriles?
If it forms a cross shape, it was a ketone.
If it is triangular, it was an aldehyde.
How are carbonyl compounds detected?
A solution of 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (2,4-DNPH) or brady’s reagent will form a yellow or orange precipitate in the presence of an aldehyde or ketone.
It is usually dissolved in methanol and sulfuric acid as a pale orange solution called brady’s reagent.
The mixture can then be recrystallised and melting points compared to known values.
How are aldehydes and ketones distinguished from one another?
Tollen’s reagent - a solution of silver nitrate in aqueous ammonia, will produce a silver mirror in the presence of an aldehyde.
It contains Ag+ ions, which act as an oxidising agent in the presence of ammonia, to form a carboxylic acid from an aldehyde.