Mechanisms Of Reaction Flashcards
1
Q
What is a nucleophile?
A
- A species with excess electron density e.g a negatively charged ion/molecule / something with a lone pair.
2
Q
What is an electrophile?
A
- A molecule with electron deficiency. Fully or partially positively charged.
3
Q
What is a free radical?
A
- A species with an unpaired electron.
4
Q
What is homolytic fission?
A
- When a covalent bond in a molecule is broken so that two free radicals (each with an unpaired electron) are produced.
5
Q
What is heterolytic fission?
A
- When a covalent bond in a molecule is broken in such a way that the shared pair of E- is taken by one of the species. Forms an anion and a cation.
6
Q
How are free radicals formed in the atmosphere?
A
- UV light causes certain bonds to vibrate more than others, cleaving them in a homolytic fission reaction.
7
Q
What occurs during the initiation step of free radical substitution?
A
- 2 radicals are produced from a diatomic molecule.
8
Q
What occurs during the propagation step of free radical substitution?
A
- The free radicals produced by homolytic fission during initiation are used, and a new free radical is produced.
9
Q
What occurs during the termination step of free radical substitution?
A
- The termination step is when two free radicals collide with each other to produce non-radical products.