O Chem General Flashcards
1 degree carbon
Primary carbon, attached to 1 other carbon
2 degree carbon
Secondary carbon, attached to 2 other carbons
3 degree carbon
Tertiary carbon, attached to 3 other carbons
4 degree carbon
Quaternary carbon, attached to 4 other carbons
Molecules with same formula and different connectivity, different properties
Constitutional isomers
Conformational isomers
Same molecule, different bond rotation (ex. Staggered vs eclipsed)
electrophile
likes electron density
- deprotonating
- (acid)
nucleophile
electron donor
- source of electron density
- proton-acceptor
- (base)
relative pKa values
A STRONG ACID has a low pKa; very likely to donate an H+ (and accept electron density)
A STRONG BASE has a high pKa; very likely to accept an H+ (and donate electron density)
pKa value of a STRONG ACID is generally…
pKa less than zero (a negative number).
The smaller the number, the stronger the acid.
pKa value of a STRONG BASE is generally…
pKa of 15 or larger.
We say the conjugate base is a strong base at these values.
The larger the number, the stronger the base.
EWG
Electron Withdrawing Group
Delocalizes electron density, which makes a weaker base, less able to accept a proton.
Stabilizes anions.
EDG
Electron Donating Group
Adds electron density and makes a stronger base better able to accept a proton.
Stabilizes cations.
E nomenclature
E (Entgegan) = apart, meaning of 4 groups attached to a double bond, the highest priority molecular groups are apart from each other.
Like in a “trans” shape, but E applies to groups that are different, and trans applies to identical groups.
Z nomenclature
Z (zusammen) = together, meaning of the four groups attached to a double bond, the 2 highest priority molecular groups are on the same side.
Like in a “cis” shape, but Z applies to groups that are different, and cis applies to identical groups.
Naming High Priority groups (via Cahn-Prelog System)
CIP
2) (tiebreaker) Use the next attached atoms until the FIRST point of difference.
#1) Highest atomic number = highest priority. (If atomic number the same, use atomic mass)
hyperconjugation
the donation of electron density from a sigma orbital to an empty orbital (often sigma * or p orbital).
(remember that the number of orbitals in = number of orbitals out, so lots of empty orbitals around.)
why is a tertiary carbon more stable than a primary or secondary?
3 degree carbon more stable because of potential for better distributed positive charge via hyperconjugation (where a filled orbital is donating electron density into an empty orbital).
Markovnikov’s Rule (regioselectivity)
observed that in HX additions, the X atom attaches to the highest degree carbon (3 >2>1)
Hammond’s Posulate
The structure and energy of the transition state can be approximated by the nearby high-energy intermediate.
The transition state is controlling the reaction pathway, but the intermediate can be studied more easily.
dipole
partial charge –concentration of negative charge separated from concentration of positive charge.
Le Chatelier’s Principle
When a shift in equilibrium occurs in a thermodynamically controlled reaction, the reaction will respond in a way that shifts back to equilibrium.
isomer
(same parts)
same formula, different construction
enantiomers
isomers that are non-superimposable mirror-images of each other
(described as “chiral”)
Very difficult to isolate because the energy barrier to convert between them is very low; they readily form a racemic mixture in an achiral environment.
stereoisomers
Same connectivity/bonding, differ in 3-D arrangement of atoms (sub-categories include enantiomers, geometric isomers)
chiral center
tetrahedral sp3 hybridized carbon that has 4 different groups attached
constitutional (structural) isomers
Same formula; differ in connectivity of atoms
Geometric Isomers
different arrangement in space around a non-rotating bond
meth-
1 C chain