CHEM 2081 Exam 4 Flashcards
Enolate Formation
A molecule containing a carbonyl is deprotonated at the a-position by a strong base (e.g., LDA, NaH, or NaNH2)
If multiple a-carbons exist, strong bulky bases will deprotonate the least-subbed one (kinetic product), and weaker bases (e.g., tOK and tBuOK) will deprotonate the more-subbed (thermodynamic product)
Halogenation of Carbonyl-Containing Molecules
Occurs when X2 and a strong base (NaOH) add to molecule and deprotonate the a-carbon
Under acidic conditions, polyhalogenation can occur at a-position if multiple a-protons present
Aldol Formation
2 equivalents of a carbonyl are added, one forms enolate following deprotonation by a base and adds to the other, creating a B-hydroxycarbonyl product, and reforming base catalyst
The product can undergo a condensation (E1cb) reaction if exposed to heat and H2O in a later step, removing OH and H across newly formed bond and generating an alkene bond, must occur for ketones
Intramolecular Aldol Formation
Occurs when two carbonyls are on one molecule, one is deprotonated and performs nucleophilic addition to the other, resulting in a 5 or 6 membered ring
Condensation can occur under heat and water conditions
Mixed/Directed Aldol Formation
Mixed aldol reactions are carried out with a carbonyl with no a-protons and an enolate
Directed aldols form when both unique carbonyls have a-protons, form quantitative enolates from one carbonyl using LDA before adding the second carbonyl (cannot undergo condensation)
Michael Reactions
Conjugate (1,4) addtion of a,B-unsaturated carbonyls (alkene in 3(a)=4(B) position)
Strong nucleophiles add direct (1,2) to form an alcohol, while weak add conjugate (1,4) to form a carbonyl
Other Nucleophilic Enolates
- Nitriles: Deprotonated a-carbon by strong base (-OH), then added to aldehyde, carries out condensation rxn under heat and H2O conditions
- Nitro-Alkanes: Deprotonated a-carbon by a weak base, carries out condensation rxn under heat and H2O conditions
Robinson Annulation
Michael Reaction (1,4 addition) + Intramolecular Aldol Formation (cyclization)
Enolate binds to a,B-unsaturated carbonyl before molecule undergoes cyclization
Reduction Mechanisms
- Clemmensen Reduction: Zn/Hg and HCl, H2O, and heat reduce carbonyls to C-H2 (acidic conditions)
- Wolff-Kishner Reduction: H2NNH2 and H2O, TEG (triethylene glycol), and heat reduce carbonyls to C-H2 and N2 gas (basic conditions)
Catalytic Hydrogenation
Another reduction mechanism targeting alkenes/alkynes and reducing them to alkanes via H2 and Pd (cat.), targets more easily accessible pi bond if multiple
A “Poisoned Catalyst” or Lindlar’s catalyst allows for catalytic hydrogenation of an alkyne to stop at an alkene
Also works to reduce carbonyls (ketones to 2o alcohols and aldehydes to 1o alcohols). Targets alkene in compound first if present
Oxidation Mechanisms
- Chromium Reagents (form chromic acid via H2Cr2O7 and CrO3 under acidic conditions (oxidizes 1o alcohol to form carboxylic acid and 2o alcohol forms ketone)
- Potassium Permanganate Oxidant (KMnO4), same products for both alcohols as chromium reagents
not responsible for mechanisms
Carboxylic Acid Derivatives (Stability Ladder)
In order of increasing reactivity (based on LG stability):
amide (R-(C=O)-N-(R/H)) < ester (R-(C=O)-O-R)/carboxylic acid (R-(C=O)-OH) < acid anhydride (R-(C=O)-O-(C=O)-R) < acid chloride (R-(C=O)-Cl)
Reactions occur at equilibrium
Nucleophilic addition/elimination reactions will move down the ladder (can never go directly up the ladder)
Every reaction moving down ladder forms carboxylic acid + LG
Transesterification
Addition of a strong nucleophile (-O-R) to an ester, followed by the carbonyl reforming and elimination of original O-R group
Hydrolysis of an Ester (Saponification)
Forms carboxylic acid and alcohol from an ester in 2-step process (1. KOH, heat and 2. HCl, H2O)
Hydrolysis of Amides
Forms carboxylic acid and amine in 2-step process (1. KOH, heat and 2. HCl, H2O)