Organic Chemistry Flashcards
CH4
Methane
C2H6
Ethane
C3H8
Propane
C4H10
Butane
C5H12
Pentane
C6H14
Hexane
C7H16
Heptane
C8H18
Octane
C9H20
Nonane
C10H22
Decane
Diol
Alcohols with 2 hydroxyl groups
Is a protecting group for aldehyde and ketone carbonyls
Geminal diols
Alcohols with 2 hydroxyl groups on the same carbon
Vicinal diols
Alcohols with 2 hydroxyl groups on adjacent carbons
2-propanol common name
Isopropyl alcohol
Ethanol common name
Ethyl alcohol
Aldehyde
Has a carbonyl group at the end of the chain that has at least one bond to hydrogen
Ketone
Has a carbonyl group in the middle of the chain that has two bonds to carbons
Aldehyde suffix
-al
Aldehyde substituent prefix
oxo-
Ketone suffix
-one
Ketone substituent prefix
oxo- OR keto-
Methanal common name
Formaldehyde
Ethanal common name
Acetaldehyde
Propanal common name
Propionaldehyde
Propanone common name
Acetone
What is the ester derivative of pentanoic acid?
Pentanoate
What is the amide derivative of pentanoic acid?
Pentanamide
What is the anhydride derivative of pentanoic acid?
Pentanoic anhydride
Alkanes
Hydrocarbons without any double or triple bonds
Alkanes formula
C (n) H (2 n + 2)
Alkanes suffix
-ane
Alkenes
Hydrocarbons with double bonds
Alkynes
Hydrocarbons with triple bonds
Alkene suffix
-ene
Alkyne suffix
-yne
Alcohols
Contain a hydroxyl (-OH) group
Alcohol suffix
-ol
Alcohol substituent prefix
Hydroxy-
Alcohol common nomenclature
Carbon chain name + alcohol
Ketone common nomenclature
Alkyl groups on either side in alphabetical order + ketone
What is the smallest ketone?
Acetone (a.k.a propanone)
Alpha-carbon
The carbon adjacent to the carbonyl carbon
What is the highest priority functional group?
Carboxylic acids
Carboxylic acid suffix
-oic acid
Methanoic acid common name
Formic acid
Ethanoic acid common name
Acetic acid
Propanoic acid common name
Propionic acid
Esters
Carboxylic acid derivatives where -OH is replaced with -OR
They are the condensation products of carboxylic acids with alcohols
Alkoxy group
-OR
Ester suffix
-oate
Ester substituent prefix
alkoxycarbonyl-
Ester common name
Alcohol name + carboxylic acid name used during synthesis
Carboxylic acid + alcohol =
Ester
Amides
Carboxylic acid derivatives where -OH is replaced with an amino group
They are the condensation products of carboxylic acids and ammonia or amines
Amide suffix
-amide
Amide substituent prefix
carbamoyl- OR amido-
How are substituents attached to the amide nitrogen designated?
N-
Anhydrides
Carboxylic acid derivates formed from two carboxylic acids by dehydration
They are the condensation dimers of carboxylic acids
Carboxylic acid + carboxylic acid (in dehydration process) =
Anhydride
Symmetric anhydride
Made of 2 of the same carboxylic acid
Asymmetric anhydride
Made of 2 different carboxylic acids
What is a cyclic anhydride made of?
Made from an intramolecular reaction of a dicarboxylic acid
Anhydride suffix
Anhydride in place of acid
The order of priority in functional groups
- Carboxylic acid
- Anhydride
- Ester
- Amide
- Aldehyde
- Ketone
- Alcohol
- Alkene or alkyne
- Alkane
Structural (constitutional) isomers
Have the same molecular formula, but different physical and chemical properties
Is melting point a physical or chemical property?
Physical
Is boiling point a physical or chemical property?
Physical
Is solubility a physical or chemical property?
Physical
Is density a physical or chemical property?
Physical
Conformational isomers
Stereoisomers with the same molecular connectivity at different points of rotation around a single (sigma) bond
Configurational isomers
Stereoisomers with differing molecular connectivity
Enantiomers
Non-superimposable mirror images
Differ at all chiral carbons, with no plane of symmetry
Do enantiomers have internal planes of symmetry?
No
Do enantiomers have the same physical properties
Yes, except rotation of plane-polarized light
Do enantiomers have the same chemical properties
Yes, except reactions in chiral environments
Diastereomers
Non-mirror-image optical isomers
Differ by at least one, but not all chiral carbons
Do diastereomers have the same physical properties?
No
Do diastereomers have the same chemical properties?
No
Enantiomer rotation in plane-polarized light
Each enantiomer’s rotation is the opposite of the other
Enantiomer reactions in chiral environments
React differently because the environment is seeking to react with only one of the enantiomers
Meso compound
Contains chiral centers and an internal plane of symmetry, the molecule is therefore achiral overall and will not rotate in plane-polarized light
Do meso compounds have an internal plane of symmetry?
Yes
Do meso compounds rotate in plane-polarized light?
No
Are meso compounds chiral?
No
E / Z isomers
Refer to arrangement of groups around a double bond
Z isomer
When the two highest priority groups are on the same side
E isomer
When the two highest priority groups are on opposite sides
Cahn-Ingold-Prelog priority rules
- Priority is assigned by atomic number
- The atom connected to the stereo center or double-bonded carbon with the highest atomic number gets the highest priority
- If there is a tie, one works outward from the stereo center or double-bonded carbon until the tie is broken
Is stereochemistry retained or inverted in a Fischer projection if we switched a pair of substituents?
Inverted
Is stereochemistry retained or inverted in a Fischer projection if we switched two pairs of substituents?
Retained
Is stereochemistry retained or inverted in a Fischer projection if we rotated the molecule 90 degrees?
Inverted
Is stereochemistry retained or inverted in a Fischer projection if we rotated the molecule 180 degrees?
Retained
Staggered conformations
Have groups 60 degrees apart
Anti-staggered conformations
The two largest groups are 180 degrees apart
Strain is minimized
Is strain minimized or maximized in anti-staggered conformations?
Minimized
Gauche staggered conformations
The two largest groups are 60 degrees apart
Types of staggered conformations
Anti and gauche
Eclipsed conformations
Groups are directly in front of each other (120 degrees apart)
Totally eclipsed conformations
The two largest groups are directly in front of each other
Strain is maximized (0 degrees apart)
Is strain minimized or maximized in totally eclipsed conformations?
Maximized
Where does the strain in cyclic molecules come from?
Angle strain, torsional strain and non-bonded strain
How is angle strain created?
By stretching or compressing angles from their normal size
How is torsional strain created?
By eclipsing conformations
Non-bonded strain
Created by interactions between substituents attached to non-adjacent carbons
How do cyclic molecules minimize strain?
By adopting non-planar shapes
How are substituents on a cyclohexane classified?
Axial and equatorial
Axial
Substituents are sticking up or down from the plane of the molecule
Equatorial
Substituents are in the plane of the molecule
What creates more non-bonded strain axial or equatorial?
Axial
Why do the largest substituents take the equatorial position?
To minimize strain
Types of conformational isomers
Staggered, anti-staggered, gauche staggered, eclipsed and totally eclipsed
How to switch between conformational isomers?
Change substituent rotation. No bond-breaking is required
How to switch between configurational isomers?
Bond-breaking is required
Types of configurational isomers
Enantiomers, meso compounds, diastereomers and cis-trans isomers
Optical activity
The ability of a molecule to rotate in plane-polarized light
d- OR (+)
Molecules rotate light to the right
l- OR (-)
Molecules rotate light to the left
Racemic mixture
Have equal concentrations of two enantiomers and are, therefore inactive in plane-polarized light
Cis-trans isomers
A subtype of diastereomers in which groups differ in position about an immovable bond
Chiral centers
Have four different groups attached to the central carbon
Relative configuration
Gives the stereochemistry of a compound in comparison to another molecule
Absolute configuration
Gives the stereochemistry of a compound without having to compare to other molecules
Uses the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog priority rules
(R) configuration
The substituents in a seterocenter rotate clockwise
(S) configuration
The substituents in a stereocenter rotate counterclockwise
Specific rotation [alpha]
= alpha observed / c l
alpha observed = angle observed
c = concentration in g/mL
l = diameter in dm
The maximum number of stereoisomers of a compound
2^n
n = number of chiral carbons
Quantum number n name
Principal quantum number
What does quantum number n describe?
Size
What is the organizational level of quantum number n?
Shell
What are the possible values for quantum number n?
1 to infinity
Quantum number l name
Azimuthal quantum number
What does quantum number l describe?
Shape
What is the organizational level of quantum number l?
Sub-shell
What are the possible values for quantum number l?
0 to n - 1
Quantum number ml name
Magnetic quantum number
What does quantum number ml describe?
Orientation
What is the organizational level of quantum number ml?
Orbital
What are the possible values for quantum number ml?
-l to +l
Quantum number ms name
Spin quantum number
What does quantum number ms describe?
Spin
What are the possible values for quantum number ms?
-1/2 or +1/2
Which is more stable: bonding or anti-bonding orbitals?
Bonding
Which has higher energy: bonding or anti-bonding orbitals?
Anti-bonding
Which has shorter bond length: double or single bonds?
Double
Which has higher bond energy: double or single bonds?
Double
Which has more molecular rigidity: double or single bonds?
Double
Which bond is strongest: sigma bond, pi bond, double bond or triple bond?
Triple bond
Which bond is weakest: sigma bond, pi bond, double bond or triple bond?
Pi bond
Which bond is stronger: sigma bond or double bond?
Double bond
What is the s character of sp hybridized orbitals?
50%
What is the s character of sp2 hybridized orbitals?
33%
What is the s character of sp3 hybridized orbitals?
25%
What is the p character of sp hybridized orbitals?
50%
What is the p character of sp2 hybridized orbitals?
67%
What is the p character of sp3 hybridized orbitals?
75%
Resonance structures
Differ in their placement of electrons in hybridized p-orbitals and require bond conjugation to delocalize electrons in a molecule
l = 0
Sub-shell s
l = 1
Sub-shell p
l = 2
Sub-shell d
l = 3
Sub-shell f
Shape of s orbital
Spherical
Shape of p orbital
Dumbbell
Bonding orbitals
Created by head-to-head or tail-to-tail overlap of atomic orbitals of the same sign and are energetically favorable
Anti-bonding orbitals
Created by head-to-head or tail-to-tail overlap of atomic orbitals that have opposite signs and are energetically unfavorable
Single (sigma) bonds
Contain 2 electrons
Double bonds
Contain one sigma bond and one pi bond
Pi bonds
Created by sharing electrons between two unhybridized p-orbitals that align side-by-side
Triple bonds
Contain one sigma bond and two pi bonds
Why are multiple bonds less flexible?
Because rotation is not possible when pi bonds are present
sp3 geometry
Tetrahedral, 109.5 degree angles, central carbon with 4 single bonds
sp2 geometry
Trigonal planar, 120 degree angles, central carbon with 2 single bonds and 1 double bond
sp geometry
Linear, 180 degree angles, central carbon with 1 single bond and 1 triple bond OR 2 double bonds
Conjugation
Occurs when single and multiple bonds alternate, creating a system of unhybridized p-orbitals down the backbone of the molecule through which pi electrons can delocalize
Why is resonance useful?
It increases the stability of a molecule
When will an acid-base reaction proceed?
When the acid and base react to form conjugate products that are weaker than the reactants
Amphoteric molecules
Species that can act as either acids or bases
Is water amphoteric?
Yes
Is bicarbonate amphoteric?
Yes
Is dihydrogen phosphate amphoteric?
Yes
pKa
= - log Ka
Ka = the equilibrium constant for the dissociation of an acid
What does pKa indicate?
The strength of an acid
What does a low pKa indicate?
Strong acid
Are alcohols acids or bases?
Acids
Are aldehydes acids or bases?
Acids
Are ketones acids or bases?
Acids
Are carboxylic acids acids or bases?
Acids
Are amines acids or bases?
Bases
Are amides acids or bases?
Bases
Nucleophilicity and electrophilicity
Based on relative rates of reactions and are therefore kinetic properties
Acidity and basicity
Measured by the position of equilibrium in a protonation or deprotonation reaction and are therefore thermodynamic properties
Is nucleophilicity a thermodynamic or kinetic property?
Kinetic
Is electrophilicity a thermodynamic or kinetic property?
Kinetic
Is acidity a thermodynamic or kinetic property?
Thermodynamic
Is basicity a thermodynamic or kinetic property?
Thermodynamic
What determines nucleophilicity?
Charge, electronegativity, steric hindrance and the solvent
Does a strong nucleophile have a more negative or more positive charge?
More negative
Is a strong nucleophile more electronegative or less electronegative?
Less electronegative
Is a strong nucleophile large or small?
Small
How does the solvent change a nucleophile’s reactivity?
Protic solvents protonate or hydrogen bond with the nucleophile, decreasing its reactivity
How does a substitution reaction proceed?
The nucleophile has to be stronger (more reactive) than the leaving group
Does a strong electrophile have a more negative or more positive charge?
More positive
How do better leaving groups increase electrophilicity?
They make the reaction more likely to proceed
Good leaving groups characteristics
- Can stabilize the extra electrons that result from heterolysis
- Are weak bases (the conjugate bases of strong acids)
- Resonance stabilization
- Have inductive effects from electron-withdrawing groups
Good oxidizing agents characteristics
- Have high affinities for electrons
- Have high oxidation states
- Get reduced as they accept electrons
- Contain a metal and a large number of oxygen
Good oxidizing agents
O2, O3, Cl2, MnO4-, CrO4-, CrO7^2-, pyridinium chlorochromate, metal + large number of oxygen atoms
Good reducing agents characteristics
- Have low electronegativities
- Have low ionization energies
- Contain a metal and a large number of hydrides
- Donate electrons while getting oxidized
Good reducing agents
Na, Mg, Al, Zn, NaH, CaH2, LiAlH4, NaBH4, metal + large number of hydrides
What are the two reactive centers of carbonyl-containing compounds?
Carbonyl carbon (electrophilic) and alpha-hydrogens (acidic)
Are carbonyl carbs electrophilic or nucleophilic?
Electrophilic
Are alpha-hydrogens acidic or basic?
Acidic
When do SN1 reactions occur?
They occur on tertiary carbons because there can be most easily stabilized
When do SN2 reactions occur?
They occur on methyl or primary carbons because these reactions are easily inhibited by steric hindrance
How to solve organic chemistry reactions?
- Know the nomenclature
- Identify the functional groups
- Identify the other reagents
- Identify the most reactive functional group(s)
- Identify the first step of the reaction
- Consider stereoselectivity
If there are no reaction conditions listed, what determines how the reaction will proceed?
The properties of the functional groups on the reactants themselves (acid-base; nucleophile-electrophile) will determine the outcome
Lewis acids
Electron acceptors
Have vacant orbitals
Positively polarized
Lewis bases
Electron donors
Have a lone pair of electrons
Anions
Bronsted-Lowry acids
Proton donors
Bronsted-Lowry bases
Proton acceptors
Acid dissociation constant (Ka)
= ([H+] [A-]) / [HA]
A measure of acidity
The equilibrium constant corresponding to the dissociation of an acid into a proton an its conjugate base
In which direction does pKa increase on the periodic table?
Bottom to top and left to right
Nucleophiles characteristics
Nucleus-loving
Contain lone pairs or pi bonds
High electron density
Carry negative charge
Are nucleophiles similar to acids or bases?
Bases
Are nucleophiles positively or negatively charged?
Negatively charge
Are amino groups nucleophilic or electrophilic?
Nucleophilic