Organic chemistry- Carbonyl and carboxylic acids Flashcards
what is the functional group of aldehydes?
carbon atom of carbonyl group is attached to a hydrogen atom
what is methanal used for?
used in solution to preserve biological specimens
what is the functional group for a ketone?
carbonyl functional group is joined to two carbon atoms
what is propanone used for?
it is acetone, which is used as a solvent and used in nail varnish removers
what is octantal used for?
colourless fragrant liquid, responsible for the smell of oranges. It naturally occurs in citrus oils and is used in perfumes and flavour production in food industry
Why do ketones not undergo oxidation reactions?
lack of reactivity
What is the difference between the C=C double bond in alkenes and the C=O in carbonyl compounds?
-C=C in alkenes is non-polar
-C=O in carbonyl compounds is polar
-oxygen is more electronegative than carbon, greater share of electrons causing separation of charge.
why do aldehydes and ketones react with some nucleophiles?
due to polarity of C=O double bond. The reaction is called nucleophilic addition
what reducing agent is used to reduce aldehydes and ketones into alcohols?
Aldehyde or ketone is warmed with NaBH4 (sodium tetrahydridobrorate III) in aqueous solution
Aldehydes reduce to?
primary alcohols
Ketones reduce to?
secondary alcohols
Describe hydrogen cyanide?
HCN, it is colourless and poisonous. It cannot be used in an open laboratory as it boils slightly above room temp. Sodium cyanide and sulfuric acid are used to provide hydrogen cyanide.
Why is the reaction between carbonyl compounds (aldehydes and ketones) and hydrogen cyanide useful?
Increases length of carbon chain. A nitrile group (CN) and hydroxyl group is formed. These compounds are classed as hydroxynitriles
What is a carbonyl compound?
compound with C=O
In the nucleophilic addition reaction with NaBH4, what acts as the nucleophile?
hydride ion, H-
Describe the mechanism for the reaction between NaBH4 and carbonyl groups?
-hydride ion is attracted and donated to positive carbon atom
-dative covalent bond is formed between hydride ion and carbon atom of C=O double bond
-the pi C=O bond breaks by heterolytic fission forming a negative intermediate
-the oxygen atom of the intermediate donates a lone pair of electrons to a hydrogen atom in a water molecule. The intermediate becomes protonated to form an alcohol and lone hydroxyl group.
Describe the mechanism for the reaction with NaCN/H+?
-the cyanide ion, CN- is attracted to the C=O and a dative covalent bond form
-the pi bond breaks through heterolytic fission forming a negatively charged oxygen
-the immediate (oxygen) is protonated by a lone pair of electrons from a hydrogen ion.
-a hydroxynitrile is formed
How do you detect carbonyl compounds?
use Brady’s reagent . Positive result of yellow or orange precipitate
Describe Brady’s reagent?
normally dissolved in methanol and sulphuric acid as a pale orange solution. Solid Brady’s reagent is very hazardous due to friction or sudden blow causing explosion
How does Brady’s reagent work?
in condensation reaction as water is formed in nucleophilic addition. The NH2 group in Brady’s reagent adds across the C=O
how do you detect and aldehyde?
using tollen’s reagent, a solution of silver nitrate in aqueous ammonia. Positive result of a silver mirror
What are the reactions when using tollens reagent?
Ag+ acts as oxidising agent in presence of ammonia. Silver ions are reduced to silver and aldehyde is oxidised to carboxylic acid