introduction to reaction mechanisms

Question 1

What is homolytic fission?

Answer 1

Each bonded atom receives an electron from the bonded pair, forming two radicals

Question 2

What is heterolytic fission?

Answer 2

Only one bonded atom receives both electrons from the bonded pair

Question 3

What is a radical?

Answer 3

An atom or groups of atoms with an unpaired electron

Question 4

What does a curly arrow represent?

Answer 4

The movement of a pair of electrons

Question 5

What are the rules of curly arrows?

Answer 5

1. They move from nucleophiles to electrophiles
2. They start at a lone pair of electrons or a bond between two atoms
3. They end at a pair of atoms or an atom
4. If electrons are placed between two atoms, a bond is formed

Question 6

What does a single-headed arrow represent?

Answer 6

The movement of a single electron

Question 7

What are the three types of reactions?

Answer 7

1. Addition
2. Substitution
3. Elimination

Question 8

What is an addition reaction?

Answer 8

Two reactants join to form one product

Question 9

What is a substitution reaction?

Answer 9

An atom or group of atoms is replaced by another atom or group of atoms

Question 10

What is an elimination reaction?

Answer 10

A smaller molecule is removed from a larger molecule
- One reactant molecule forms two products