mechanisms Flashcards
(32 cards)
what are curly arrows ?
shows the movement of a pair of electrons from negative to positive
what is the word equation for radical substitution ?
alkane + halogen ——–> halogenoalkane + hydrogenhalide
what are the 3 stages of free radical substitution?
initiation, propogation, termination
write the formula for the radical substitution of methane and chlorine
CH4 + Cl2 ———> CH3Cl + HCl
why does the halogen - halogen break in initiation?
bond is weaker so takes less energy to break it so it is the first to break
how is a free radical formed?
when a bond of the same atom breaks homolytically and 1 electron goes to each atom in the bond
what happens during the initiation stage of free radical substitution?
breaking of the halogen-halogen bond homolytically using UV light, creates a halogen radical
what happens in the 1st step of propogation?
the Cl. takes a H atom from methane to form HCl, but leaves the methane as a methyl group free radical
what happens during the 2nd stage of propogation?
the methyl free radical will react with another chlorine to form a halogenoalkane and a Cl.
how does propogation repeat its self?
in the 2nd stage the halogen free radical will react with the alkane which is esentially the 1st stage again
what happens during termination?
this is where the chain reaction stops and any free radicals are removed because they react together and froms an unreactive molecule
what are the 3 outcomes in termination ?
halogen radical + halogen radical ——–> halogen2
alkane radical + alkane radical ———> different alkane
halogen radical + alkane radical ———> halogenoalkane
what happens during an elimination reaction?
a nucleophile acts as a base and accepts a hydrogen (proton) from the halogenoalkane
what are the products of an elimination reaction?
one hydrogen, a halogen and an alkene
what are the conditions for an elimination reaction?
ethanolic solution and very hot temps
explain how in the mechanism of elimination water is produced?
the lone pair on oxygen from the OH is attracted to a hydrogen attached to the C next to the C-X bond. the H it is delta+ and forms a dative covalent bond with the OH, this is what makes the product water
explain how in the mechanism of elimination an alkene is produced?
The electron pair in this H-C bond (the H that has just been removed) will go into the C-C next to the hydrogen that was attacked by the OH, this forms a double c-c bond
explain how in the mechanism of elimination of bromo-ethane Br- is produced?
the other carbon on the double bond has now made too many bonds, so the electrons in the
C-Br goes to the Br to create the product of Br- because it is the weakest bond so will break first
what is the leaving group of an elimination reaction of bromoethane?
Br-
what is a base?
a molecule that accepts protons
why does the OH- act as a base in an elimination reaction?
the H is delta + so is attracted to the lone pair of electrons on the O, the lone pair of electrons from a dative covalent bond to the H. this acceptance of protons (H+) makes it a base
how can 2 isometric products be created in an elimination reaction?
with a carbon length of more than 2 the double bond can form either side of where the OH attacks the H
what is a nuleophile?
reagents that attack and form bonds with delta + of fully +ly charged carbon atoms
what are the properties of a nucleophille?
is delta- or a negative ion or has a lone pair of electrons located on the electronegative atom