Organic chem cont + thermodynamics Flashcards
What is the main function of hybridisation?
It is a labelling technique. Mathematical concept
What is hybridisation?
It is a label given to the geometry around a given atom in a molecule –> refers to positions around a central atom. I.e. depends on whether it is tetrahedral, trigonal, straight shape etc.
What is sp3 hybridisation?
Occurs when a 2s orbital mixes with 3 2p orbitals, forcing 4x identical orbitals to form which forms 4 single covalent bonds
How can you tell if there is sp3 hybridisation?
Look at the electron groups around an atom (bonds and lone pairs). If it gives a tetrahedral shape, it is a sp3 hybridisation
What is sp2 hybridisation?
Normally forms with alkenes. Occurs if 2s orbital mixes with only 2 2p orbitals, as a result 1 p - orbital remains unhybridised and can be used to form the ‘double bond’
How can you tell if there is sp2 hybridisation?
Look at the electron groups aroudn an atom and see if it forms a trigonal pyramidal shape around the atom (3 bonds)
What is sp1 hybridisation?
Occurs if a 2s orbital mixes with only one 2p orbital. As a result, 2 p-orbitals remain unhybridised and can be used to form the ‘triple bond’
How can you tell if there is sp1 hybridisation?
The way to identify this hybrid is to look for a linear shape around an atom (2 bonds).
Is hybridisation limited to carbon only?
No it isn’t. There are also other atoms which can hybridise as well such as heteroatoms
What are the properties of alkanes in terms of intermolecular forces and the boiling point, melting point etc. ?
Molecules are held together by Van der Waals (dispersion) forces. These forces increase as the size of the molecule increases.
Because MP and BP are determined by the strength of the intermolecular forces, as the dispersion forces increase as the carbon chain gets longer, MP and BP actually increases as well.
However, branching (e.g. methyl side chains) lowers the melting/boiling point because it forces chains away from each other a bit more
Describe the combustion of alkanes
Short chain alkanes burn efficiently –> CO2 + H2O
Bigger alkanes don’t burn as well –> sooty flame
Large amounts of energy liberated in combustion. Commonly used in fuel, e.g. natural gas, petrol, etc –> environmentla consequences
What are isomers?
They have the same molecular forma but different structures?
What are the 2 categories of isomers?
Constitutional isomers and stereoisomers
What are constitutional isomers?
Different nature/sequence of bonds - in other words its structural isomers
What are stereoisomers?
Different arrangement of groups in space –> different patterns
What are the 2 categories of stereoisomers?
Conformational and configurational isomers
What are conformational isomers?
Isomers which differ by rotation about a single bond
This process doesn’t require too much energy so they are normally separable
What are configurational isomers?
Interconversion requiring breaking of bonds
This process normally requires a lot of energy so doesn’t happen at room temp
What are the 2 categories of configurational isomers?
Diastereoisomers / diastereomer or enantiomers
What are enantiomers?
Mirrored and Non superimposable isomers
What are diastereomers?
Not mirror images and not superimposable
What are the different properties of isomers? WHat are they determiend by?
Physical and chemical properties of constitutional isomers can be very different, particularly when different functional groups are present
Each functional group present will have different properties and reactivity which come with it
WHat is a double bond constructed from?
Sigma and pi bond
What is a pi bond formed by?
p - orbital overlap and are directional (electron density concentrated above and below the plane)
What are the two labels for diastereomers?
‘Z’ or ‘E’
What are the rules involved with naming double bond isomers?
Rules involve:
Assign priority to each group on each carbon of C=C
the higher the atomic number of the atom attached the higher the priority
If identical atoms attached, work along the chain until first point of difference, then go by atomic number
When do we use a Z double bond naming?
If high priority groups are on the same sides of C=C
When do we use an E double bond naming?
If high priority groups are on the opposite sides of C = C
When do we use cis and trans?
cis = priority groups on the same side
trans = priority groups on the opposite sides
Check disubstituted cycloalkanes and conformational isomers and newman projections in book
ok
What are the barriers to rotation?
In ‘straight chain’ alkanes, rotation about C-C bonds is rapid at room temp. Differences in energy are from steric interactions
The wider apart the H’s are, it reduces repulsion –> less energy
Why do configurational isomers form?
They could arise due to absence of rotation about a double bond
Can also arise when an sp3 atom has 4 different bonding partners
What does chiral mean?
An object is chiral if it isn’t super-imposable upon its mirror image
WHat are the properties of a chiral molecule?
Contains a stereogenic centre (4 unique bonds/ atoms)
It isn’t superimposable on its mirror image
Has no plane of symmetry in the molecule
What are enantiomers?
Pair of molecules which are:
mirror images of each other
aren’t superimposable
What is a stereocentre?
Also called a stereogenic centre or chiral centre, it is a term used to describe a carbon atom with 4 different groups attached
What is a racemic mixture?
It is a 50:50 mixture of both enantiomers (R or S) or (C or D)
What is the modern and older convention for labelling possibilities of enaantiomers?
R or S
OR
L or D
Why does chirality matter?
As molecular size increases –> chiral molecules are more frequent
Almost all physical properties of a pair of enantiomers are identical
Enantiomers behave in an identical way when interacting with achiral objects or reagent
Enantiomers will interact and react differently with other chiral molecules
Almost all biological catalysis by enzymes is selective for a particular enantiomer
What are examples of chiral pharmaceuticals?
Ventolin is sold as a racemic mixture but only the R enantiomer is active, and the S enantiomer slows down elimination of drug from the body
Thalidomide was also sold as a racemic mixture. The R enantiomer is a mild sedative, however the S enantiomer was found to be a potent tetratogen which can cause birth defects –> tighter control of enantiomer specification
How can chirality be detected?
Through optical activity. In plane polarised light, waves oscillate in only one plane
Their interaction with plane polarised light is generated by passing light through a polarising filter
How is optical activity measured?
When plane polarised light is passed through a solution of one pure enantiomer of a compound, the plane of polarisation is rotated
The enantiomer is said to be optically active
The amount of rotation is characteristic of the enantiomer
There are two directions of light - L and R different enantiomers will either shift left or right in terms of light
What does a rotation in a clockwise direction mean for an enantiomer?
Labelled (+)
What does a rotation in a anticlockwise direction mean for an enantiomer?
Labelled (-)