TOPIC 17 : ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II Flashcards
Explain what is meant by a chiral molecule and say how you would recognise an asymmetric carbon atom.
A chiral molecule is one that has no plane of symmetry. An asymmetric carbon atom is one that is attached to 4 different groups.
Why doesn’t a racemic mixture have any effect on the plane of polarisation of plane polarised light?
It is a 50/50 mixture of the two enantiomers. One of these is rotating the plane
of polarisation anti-clockwise, and the other is rotating it by exactly the same amount clockwise. They cancel each other out, so there is no overall effect on the light.
Define structural isomer
Same molecular formula different structural formulae
Define Chain isomers
Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structures of the carbon skeleton
Define Position isomers
Compounds with the same molecular formula but different structures due to different positions on the same functional group on the same carbon skeleton
Define functional group isomers
Compounds with the same molecular formula but with atom arranged to give different functional groups
What causes positional isomerism
Functional groups found at different positions on a chain
What are stereoisomers
Stereoisomers have the same structural formulae but have a different spatial arrangement of atoms
What causes chain isomerism
Different chain lengths due branching
What causes functional group isomerism
The position of atoms causes different functional groups eg = ketones and aldehydes
Explain how geometric isomerism arises
When there is a double bond between Carbons causing restricted rotation around the double bond and two different groups/atoms attached to both ends of the restricted double bond
What are the two types of stereoisomers
Geometrical isomerism ( E/Z) and optical isomerism
What is a Z isomer how do we determine if an isomer is a Z isomer
A Z isomer is when the priority groups on either side are on the same side
What is an E isomer how do we determine if an isomer is an E isomer
If the priority groups are on opposite sides then it is an E isomer
What is a priority group
The atom with the larger atomic proton number
When does optical isomerism occur
Occurs in carbon compounds with 4 different groups of atoms attached to a carbon
What shape are optical isomers
Tetrahedral
Define a racemic mixture
A racemic mixture is a mixture containing equal amounts of two enantiomers (optical isomers) that rotate plane polarised light in opposite directions by the same amount
What are enantiomers
Optical isomers
What is special about optical isomers
They have similar chemical and physical properties but rotate plane polarised light by the same amount in different directions
How is a racemate mixture formed use an example
Nucleophilic addition of HCN to aldehydes and unsymmetrical ketones from both sides forms a racemate
What is optical activity
When an optical isomer rotates plane polarised light
What is a chiral molecule
A carbon atom that has 4 different groups attached
Give an example of how optical activity provides evidence for SN1 mechanisms. DESCRIBE the mechanism for 2 bromo-butane reacting with a OH- ion
The Br breaks away from the haloalkane to form a carbocation intermediate
The OH- ion can attach from other side resulting in different enantiomers and a racemate forms
Because a racemate forms they will be no optical activity in the products proving SN1 mechanisms
Give an example of how optical activity provides evidence for SN2 mechanisms
Describe the mechanism for 2 bromo- butane with a OH - ion
Give an example of how optical activity provides evidence for SN2 mechanisms
Draw the mechanism for 2 bromo- butane with a OH - ion
In an SN2 mechanism there is no intermediate species formed
The OH- attacks the carbon and the bromine breaks off
If the reactant was chiral than during the reaction the opposite enantiomer would form
How else can we get a racemic mixture? Draw the mechanism
We can form a racemate by the electrophilic addition of HBr to an unsymmetrical alkene
What test would you use to distinguish between hexane and hex-1-ene ? Give the results of the test for each substance
Bromine water
Bromine water is an orange solution of bromine and it becomes colourless when an alkene is present as alkenes decolourise bromine water
What is meant by non-superimposable
Cannot be placed above one another and look the same
Define plane polarized monochromatic light
Light that only oscillates in one plane and is one colour
State how separate samples of 2 - enantiomers could be distinguished in a laboratory
Observe the directions they rotate plane polarised light
What is formed during a reaction undergoing SN1
Carbocation intermediate
What is involved during an SN2 mechanism
Two molecules are involved, the nucleophile attacks the carbon cation when the halogen breaks off