U3-3-2 - Haloalkanes Flashcards
What is this type of molecule called?

Haloalkane
What feature of haloalkanes allows nucleophiles to attack them?
Carbon-halogen bond is polar.
(Nucleophile can attack C)









Why is this type of reaction significant in chemistry?

Increases length of carbon chain
(which is normally hard to do!)

This is shorthand for acid hydrolysis

Name this type of reaction

Acid (catalysed) hydrolysis


Carbocation
A species with a positively charged carbon atom.

Which type of carbocations are the least stable?
Primary
Why are tertiary carbocations the most stable?
Due to the inductive effect.
Alkyl groups push eā density towards the positively charged C atom, which stabilises the charge.
(steric hindrance is a 2nd reason)
What do the numbers refer to in SN1 and SN2?
Number of particles in RDS
Step 1 of SN1


Step 1 of SN1 - draw in curly arrow(s)


SN1 step 2 - draw in curly arrow(s)


Which step is the slow (RDS) step in SN1?
Step 1 - Carbocation formation
Step 2 - Substitution
Step 1 - Carbocation formation
SN2 - draw in curly arrow(s)


SN2


What is missing in this transition state?

Must have square brackets and negative charge!

Which mechanism forms an inverted product:
SN1 or SN2?
i.e. inverted stereochemistry at chiral centre
SN2
(Attacking group is always opposite to where the leaving group was.)
Which mechanism forms a racemic mixture:
SN1 or SN2?
SN1
(Attacking group can attach to either side of carbocation.)
When is SN1 preferred over SN2?
When a stable carbocation (tertiary) is formed
(or in case of steric hindrance)