topic 17 Flashcards
what is optical isomerism a result of
optical isomerism is a result of chirality in molecules with a single chiral centre
what does it mean if a molecule is chiral
if two objects/ molecules are mirror images of each other and they are not superimposable then they are said to be chiral
what does non-super imposable mean
non super imposable means that two images/molecules with the same structure (but one is mirrored) dont match when you put them on top of each other
how does chirality occur
- chirality is a property exclusive to asymmetrical molecules with different groups attached to a central carbon atom
- has no line of symmetry
how can you identify a chiral centre
carbon centre with 4 different groups attached
how can you indicate whether a molecule has a chiral centre
using an *
what does it mean if a molecule has a chiral centre
two possible isomers that are mirror images of each other → optical isomers
he mirror images will be non super imposable to each other
what is the effect of different arrangements of molecules
- the orientation can lead to dramatically different effects on biological organisms which is why we want to separate them
- example of thalidomide
what are enantiomers
each of a pair of molecules that are mirror images of each other
the different isomers are called enantiomers
enantiomers are non-superimposable
what is plane polarised light
light in one plane → travel in one direction
what is a racemic mixture
enantiomers are made in a 50/50 mix which is known as a racemic mixture
what is the effect of individual enantiomers on plane polarised light
individual enantiomers can cause plane polarised light to rotate either to the right or to the left
If single enantiomer is produced
what is the effect of a racemic mixture on plane polarised light and why
plane polarised light has no effect on a racemic mixture because there is an equal mix of left and right enantiomers
what is the SN1 mechanism
- takes place in two steps
- R- represents alkyl groups
- central carbon has 4 different groups so has a chiral centre
- needs to have a chiral centre or it wont work
recall/draw the steps of the SN1 mechanism with the example of 2-bromo,2-methylpropane
what happens if the intermediate is planar in the SN1 mechanism
if the intermediate (carbocation has lost a bond) is planar, the nucleophile can either attack from above or below
- if the attack happens from above it will be a different shape compared to if the attack happens from below
- different arrangement depending on where the nucleophile has attacked from
what happens if bonds are added/lost from the molecule
when bonds are added/lost the shape changes (show this when drawing mechanisms)
what is the product of the SN1 mechanism
racemic mixure
forms enantiomers which means they can rotate plane polarised light which is known as optical activity
what is the evidence for the SN1 mechanism
the product of the SN1 mechanism wont have an effect on plane polarised light
what is a transition state
one group joins as another group comes off
draw the SN2 mechanism with the example of 2-bromo,2-methylpropane
occurs in one step
what is the product of the SN2 mechanism
one product
doesnt have a racemic mixture
product will rotate plane polarised light
which mechanism does a tertiary carbocation undergo
tertiary carbocation should undergo SN1 mechanism
tertiary carbocation is most stable so can only exist as a carbocation for a short period of time
which mechanism des primary carbocations undergo
so for SN2 can only occur with a primary or secondary carbocation as they are less stable
what is the functional group for carbonyl compounds
- carbonyl compounds → contain carbonyl group C double bond O
- gives them the functional group -CO
what are the most common carbonyl compounds
aldehydes and ketones
what does the -CO functional group allow carbonyl compounds to do
allows these molecules to form hydrogen bonds with water
this means that aldehydes and ketones are soluble in water as they can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules
how do hydrogen bonds form between carbonyl compounds and water
a hydrogen bond forms between a lone pair of electrons on the oxygen atom on the C=O functional group and a positive dipole region on a hydrogen atom
why cant carbonyl compounds form hydrogen bonds between other carbonyl compounds
aldehydes and ketones dont have a slightly positive hydrogen atom, therefore they dont form hydrogen bonds between molecules
what forces exist between carbonyl compounds
only london forces are present between these molecules
how can aldehydes be produced
they are produced from the initial oxidation and distillation of primary alcohols
what is the structure of aldehydes
- They have a carbonyl group on a carbon atom at the end of the chain
- this carbon is only attached to one other carbon atom
- this gives them the functional group -CHO
draw an example of the functional group of aldehydes
how can carboxylic acid be produced
aldehydes can be oxidised further in the presence of acidified potassium dichromate (VI) to produce carboxylic acids
what is the structure of ketones
have a carbonyl group on a carbon that is attached to two other carbon atoms
-C=O functional group
how can ketones be produced
produced from the oxidation of secondary alcohols with acidified potassium dichromate (VI)
draw an example of a ketone
write the equation for the oxidation of ethanol to form an aldehyde using displayed formula
write the equation of ethanal (Aldehyde) being further oxidised under reflux to form a carboxylic acid
write the equation for the oxidation of a secondary alcohol (propan-2-ol) to a ketone
what can potassium dichromate (VI) be used for
used as an oxidising agent for oxidation of alcohols
how do you know when an alcohol has undergone oxidation
- potassium dichromate (VI) is reduced when alcohol is oxidised
- results in a colour change from orange to green
what can be used to test for aldehydes
tested using tollens reagent or fehlings solution
how can fehlings solution be used to test for aldehydes
- fehlings/tollens acts as an oxidising agent
- a few drops of fehlings is added and the test tube is gently warmed
- if aldehyde present a red precipitate will form
- if ketone present → solution remains blue