Physical Organic Chemistry

Question 1

ΔrG

Answer 1

ΔG product - ΔG reactants

Question 2

Thermodynamic product

Answer 2

Lowest energy product

Question 3

Kinetic product

Answer 3

Smallest activation barrier

Question 4

Hammond’s postulate

Answer 4

If consecutive states on reaction coordinate are close in energy they’re close in structure

Question 5

Can an intermediate be detected

Answer 5

Yes

Question 6

Can a transition state be detected

Answer 6

No

Question 7

What does the rate equation tell us about reaction

Answer 7

The reactants that are involved before or at the RDS

Question 8

Relative speeds of protonation/C-C bond formation

Answer 8

Protonation = fast
C-C bond formation relatively slow

Question 9

Why can’t formaldehyde be used in aldol and solution

Answer 9

Too reactive, use mannich instead

Question 10

Benzoin condensation mechanism

Answer 10

Consistent with specificity of CN- catalyst as it helps stabilise C- in intermediate and CN- being catalytic

Question 11

More acidic means…

Answer 11

More stable conjugate base

Question 12

Autocatalytic

Answer 12

Rate dependent on product