Chapter 21: Alpha Carbons Flashcards
Nucleophilic position of an enol
The alpha position of enols/enolates is nucleophilic
Enolates are negative, so more nucleophilic than enols
Drawing enolates
- Identify all α protons
- Remove the proton at the α position and draw the resulting anion
- Draw the resonance structure showing the negative charge on the oxygen atom
Alpha halogenation of enols and enolates
Acid catalyzed
Reagtents
[H3O+] & X2
Cl2, Br2, and I2 (not fluorine)
Mechanism
Results in halogen addition at the α position of and aldehyde or a ketone
If the ketone/aldehyde is asymmetrical, halogen adds to the more substituted alpha carbon
Formation of an α,β-unsaturated ketone
Reagents
- [H3O+] & Br2
- Pyridine or t-ButO
Hell-Volhard-Zelinsky reaction
Reagents
- Br2 & PBr3 (phosphorus tribromide)
- H2O
Mechanism
Performs α-halogenation of a carboxylic acid
Alpha halogenation of enols and enolates
Base catalyzed
Reagents
NaOH & Br2
Mechanism
Product formed is reactive, so poly-halogenation readily occurs
Haloform reaction
Reagents
- NaOH & Br2
- H3O+
Mechanism
Converts methyl ketones into carboxylic acids
Aldol addition reaction
Same reactants
Reagents
NaOH & H2O
Mechanism
An aldehyde treated with a strong base is converted to an enolate which exists in equilibrium and attack another aldehyde
Enolate attacks at the α position
Product features both aldehyde and alcohol groups with the −OH group will be on the beta carbon
Aldol condensation reaction
Same reactants
Reagents
[H3O+ or OH−] & heat
Mechanism
When aldol product is heated water leaves and a double bond forms
Aldol condensation vs. addition yields
The condensation yields typically better than addition yields
Drawing the product of an aldol condensation
Crossed aldol reactions
Reagents
-
NaOH
or - LDA
Mechanism
Two ways to limit outcomes:
- One reactant is unhindered without alpha protons
- Use LDA as a base to completely convert one ractant to an enolate
Intramolecular aldol reactions
Reagents
NaOH & heat
Mechanism
Intramolecular aldol reactions form cyclic compounds
ONLY 5 and 6 membered rings will form as others are too unstable
Identifying reagents for a crossed aldol reaction
Claisen condensations
Same reactants
Reagents
- RO−
- H3O+
Mechanism
Condensation reaction involving an ester
- Starting ester needs 2 alpha protons to work
- NO hydroxide can be used because hydrolysis will result
- Alkoxide must match –OR of ester to avoid transesterification