Fundamentals of Reaction Mechanisms

Question 1

Homolytic fission is

Answer 1

breaking a covalent bond in such a way that each atom takes an electron from the bond to form two radicals

Question 2

Heterolytic fission is

Answer 2

breaking a covalent bond in such a way that the more electronegative atom takes both the electrons from the bond to form a negative ion and leaving behind a positive ion

Question 3

nucleophile is an

Answer 3

electron-rich species that can donate a pair of electrons
‘Nucleophile’ means ‘nucleus/positive charge loving’ as nucleophiles are attracted to positively charged species

Question 4

An electrophile is an

Answer 4

electron-deficient species that can accept a pair of electrons
‘Electrophile’ means ‘electron/negative charge loving’ as electrophiles are attracted to negatively charged species

Question 5

Types of reactions
An addition reaction is an

Answer 5

organic reaction in which two (or more) molecules combine to give a single product with no other products

Question 6

A substitution reaction is a reaction that involves

Answer 6

replacing an atom or group of atoms by another

Question 7

An elimination reaction is a reaction in which a

Answer 7

small molecule (such as H2O or HCl) is removed from an organic molecule

Question 8

hydrolysis reaction is a reaction in which

Answer 8

a compound is broken down by water (it can also refer to the breakdown of a substance by dilute acids or alkali)

Question 10

A condensation reaction is a

Answer 10

reaction in which two organic molecules join together and in the process eliminate small molecules (such as H2O or HCl)