Org Chem Fundamentals (1)

Question 1

Equilibrium arrows

Answer 1

two half-arrows pointing left and right between each step of a reaction to signify that a reaction is reversible

Question 2

Mechanism

Answer 2

illustrated depiction of a chemical reaction

Question 3

Double-headed arrows

Answer 3

curved arrows indicating the movement of 2 electrons at once

Question 4

Single-headed arrows

Answer 4

curved arrows indicating the movement of 1 electron at once; also called “fish hook” arrows

Question 5

Nucleophile

Answer 5

electron donating atom on a molecule targeting bond formation with another molecule

Question 6

Electrophile

Answer 6

electron accepting atom on a molecule to form a bond

Question 7

Hydroxyl

Answer 7

-OH group; part of alcohol functional group

Question 8

Carbonyl

Answer 8

=O group; part of ketone and aldehyde functional groups

Question 9

Carboxylic acid

Answer 9

-COOH group; contains both hydroxyl and carbonyl groups

Question 10

Amine

Answer 10

-NRx; nitrogen based functional group

Question 11

Sn2 reaction

Answer 11

concerted (1-step) reaction mechanism of substitution; second-order reaction

Question 12

Sn1 reaction

Answer 12

2-step reaction through the formation of a carbocation intermediate; results in a racemic mixture of products; first-order reaction

Question 13

Carbocation

Answer 13

positively charged alpha-carbon; very unnstable

Question 14

Racemic mixture

Answer 14

mix of R- and S-products with equal amounts of each

Question 15

E1 reaction

Answer 15

first-order elimination reaction with the formation of a carbocation intermediate and a product with a double bond

Question 16

E2 reaction

Answer 16

second-order elimination reaction that produces a double bond product in one step

Question 17

Leaving group

Answer 17

any species/functional group that leaves a reactant during a reaction