Introduction to reaction mechanisms Flashcards
What is a covalent bond?
A shared pair of electrons between two atoms.
What are the two types of bond fission?
- Homolytic fission
- Heterolytic fission
What happens during homolytic fission?
Each bonded atom takes one of the shared pair of electrons from the bond.
What is formed when a covalent bond undergoes homolytic fission?
Each atom now has a single unpaired electron.
What is a radical?
An atom or group of atoms with an unpaired electron.
What is an example of homolytic fission?
The homolytic fission of the carbon-carbon bond in ethane.
What occurs during heterolytic fission?
One of the bonded atoms takes both electrons from the bond.
What ion is formed from the atom that takes both electrons in heterolytic fission?
A negative ion.
What ion is formed from the atom that does not take the electrons in heterolytic fission?
A positive ion.
What is a reaction mechanism?
The process by which a reaction takes place.
What do curly arrows represent in a reaction mechanism?
The movement of electron pairs when bonds are being broken or made.
What is an addition reaction?
Two reactants join together to form one product.
What is an example of an addition reaction?
The reaction of but-2-ene and water to form butan-2-ol.
What happens in a substitution reaction?
An atom or group of atoms is replaced by a different atom or group of atoms.
What is an example of a substitution reaction?
The substitution reaction of 1-bromopropane.
What is an elimination reaction?
Involves the removal of a small molecule from a larger one.
What occurs in an elimination reaction?
One reactant molecule forms two products.
What is an example of an elimination reaction?
The elimination of a water molecule from propan-1-ol.
