Reaction Mechanisms

Question 1

define a nucleophile

Answer 1

Something that is attracted to the nucleus.
- usually has negative charge

Question 2

define electrophile

Answer 2

is attracted to electrons
- usually positive

Question 3

name the 2 types of bond fission (split)

Answer 3

• heterolytic bond fission
• homolytic bond fission

Question 4

what kind of fission has a double-headed arrow

Answer 4

heterolytic bond fission

Question 5

what kind of fission has a single-headed arrow

Answer 5

homolytic bond fission

Question 6

what is nucleophilic substitution

Answer 6

involves a nucleophile (-) attacks a nucleus (+) of a C atom. To swap/substitute with a nucleophilic group already on the carbon chain

Question 7

what is electrophilic addition

Answer 7

involves the addition of an electrophile (such as H, Br) to a molecule which contains an electron rich region (c=c)

Question 8

What is carbocation stability

Answer 8

• carbocations are unstable intermediates
• the more stable a carbocation is, the more likely it is to form -> leads to major and minor products in some electrophilic addition