Organic Reaction Mechanisms

Question 1

Homolytic fission

Answer 1

Radicals: unpaired electron and are very reactive
Formation = initiation step(needs energy to break covalent bonds)
Propagation step = attack reactant and form more radicals
Termination step = free radicals react with each other

Question 2

Heterolytic fission

Answer 2

More electronegative atom takes both electrons in the covalent bind

Question 3

Carbocations

Answer 3

Cations are alkyl groups
Primary, 1, least stable
Secondary, 2, more stable
Tertiary, 3, most stable

Question 4

Positive inductive effect

Answer 4

Electron donating nature of alkyl groups
More alkyl groups adjacent to positively charged carbon atom
Less charge density on C with 3 cov bonds
Makes carbocation more stable

Question 5

Nucleophiles

Answer 5

Donator of a pair of electrons

Question 6

Electrophile

Answer 6

Acceptor of a pair of electrons

Question 7

Addition

Answer 7

1 product from 2 reactions

Question 8

Elimination

Answer 8

Removal of small molecule from bigger one

Question 9

Substitution

Answer 9

Replacement of atom/group of atoms by another

Question 10

Hydrolysis

Answer 10

Breakdown by water

Question 11

Oxidation

Answer 11

Addition of O

Removal of H

Question 12

Reduction

Answer 12

Removal of O

Addition of H