Organic Chemistry flashcards, generated for you.

A chemical bond formed by the sharing of one or more pairs of electrons between two atoms, allowing both atoms to achieve stable electron configurations.

Nucleophile: electron-rich species that donates electrons to form a new bond. Electrophile: electron-poor species that accepts electrons. Both drive SN2/SN1 and addition reactions.

SN2 is bimolecular, one-step, inversion of configuration, favored by primary substrates and strong nucleophiles. SN1 is unimolecular, two-step (carbocation intermediate), racemization, favored by tertiary substrates and weak nucleophiles.

In addition of HX to an alkene, the hydrogen adds to the carbon with more existing hydrogens, and the halogen adds to the carbon with fewer hydrogens, forming the more stable carbocation intermediate.

E2 is bimolecular, one-step, concerted mechanism, anti-periplanar geometry required, favored by strong bases and primary/secondary substrates. E1 is unimolecular, two-step via carbocation, favored by weak bases and tertiary substrates.

A carbocation is a carbon atom bearing a positive charge with six valence electrons. Stability increases: 1° < 2° < 3° < allylic/benzylic. Stability determines reaction pathways and product distribution in SN1/E1 and addition reactions.

Oxidation: loss of electrons, decrease in hydrogen atoms, or increase in oxygen/halogen atoms bonded to carbon. Reduction: gain of electrons, increase in hydrogen atoms, or decrease in oxygen/halogen atoms. Redox state of carbon determines functional group transformations.

Resonance is the representation of a molecule as a hybrid of multiple Lewis structures differing in electron placement but not atom positions. It stabilizes conjugated systems through electron delocalization; structures are averaged, not interconverting.

A stronger acid has a weaker, more stable conjugate base. Conjugate base stability increases with electron-withdrawing groups and delocalization of negative charge (resonance). pKa and stability are inversely related.

Alkenes contain a π bond with high electron density between carbons, making them electron-rich. This predicts electrophilic addition reactions (HX, X2, H2O) where electrophiles attack the π system, forming carbocations that are trapped by nucleophiles.