Organic Chemistry 2 Final Exam Review

The Organic Chemistry Tutor51 minutes read

The reaction of an alahh functional group with silver oxide produces a carboxylic acid, while bromination of 1-eth4-isopropyl benzene selectively replaces the tertiary hydrogen, illustrating key organic chemistry principles. Additionally, the synthesis of para-nitrobenzoic acid involves careful selection of reagents to direct functional groups appropriately, highlighting the importance of reaction conditions and substituent effects on acidity and reactivity.

Insights

  • The reaction between an alahh functional group and silver oxide produces a carboxylic acid in its protonated form under acidic conditions, highlighting the importance of reaction environment in determining the final product of organic transformations.
  • In radical bromination, bromine selectively replaces the most substituted hydrogen, typically the tertiary one, demonstrating how the structure of the substrate influences the outcome of the reaction and the selectivity of halogenation processes.
  • The acidity of compounds is affected by the presence of substituents; electron-donating groups raise pKa values and decrease acidity, while electron-withdrawing groups lower pKa values and increase acidity, emphasizing the role of functional groups in determining the chemical properties of organic molecules.

Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free

Recent questions

  • What is a carboxylic acid?

    A carboxylic acid is an organic compound characterized by the presence of a carboxyl group (-COOH). This functional group consists of a carbon atom double-bonded to an oxygen atom and single-bonded to a hydroxyl group (-OH). Carboxylic acids are known for their acidic properties, which arise from the ability of the carboxyl group to donate a proton (H⁺) in solution. They typically have a pKa value ranging from 4 to 5, indicating their moderate acidity compared to other organic compounds. Common examples include acetic acid and benzoic acid, which are widely used in food preservation and as chemical intermediates in various industrial processes.

  • How does bromination work?

    Bromination is a chemical reaction where bromine (Br₂) is introduced into an organic compound, typically involving alkanes or alkenes. In alkanes, bromine reacts through a radical mechanism, where it selectively replaces the most substituted hydrogen atom, often the tertiary hydrogen, due to its stability. This process can be initiated by UV light, which generates bromine radicals. In alkenes, bromination occurs through an electrophilic addition mechanism, where bromine adds across the double bond, often resulting in anti-addition due to the formation of a cyclic bromonium ion intermediate. This reaction is significant in organic synthesis, allowing for the functionalization of hydrocarbons.

  • What is the role of pKa in acidity?

    pKa is a quantitative measure of the acidity of a compound, indicating the strength of an acid in solution. It is defined as the negative logarithm of the acid dissociation constant (Ka), which reflects the tendency of an acid to donate protons (H⁺) to a base. A lower pKa value corresponds to a stronger acid, meaning it more readily donates protons, while a higher pKa indicates a weaker acid. For example, carboxylic acids typically have pKa values around 4 to 5, making them moderately acidic. In contrast, alpha hydrogens adjacent to carbonyl groups have pKa values ranging from 9 to 20, indicating they are less acidic. Understanding pKa is crucial for predicting the behavior of acids and bases in chemical reactions.

  • What is the Diels-Alder reaction?

    The Diels-Alder reaction is a cycloaddition reaction between a conjugated diene and a dienophile, resulting in the formation of a six-membered ring. This reaction is a key transformation in organic chemistry, allowing for the synthesis of complex cyclic structures from simpler precursors. The mechanism involves the overlap of π orbitals from the diene and the dienophile, leading to the formation of new σ bonds. Depending on the starting materials, the reaction can yield either monocyclic or bicyclic compounds. The Diels-Alder reaction is valued for its ability to create multiple stereocenters and for its high regio- and stereoselectivity, making it a powerful tool in synthetic organic chemistry.

  • How do nitration reactions work?

    Nitration reactions involve the introduction of a nitro group (NO₂) into an aromatic compound, typically using a mixture of nitric acid (HNO₃) and sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄). The sulfuric acid acts as a catalyst, generating the nitronium ion (NO₂⁺), which is the active electrophile in the reaction. The aromatic ring, being electron-rich, undergoes electrophilic substitution, where the nitronium ion attacks the ring, replacing a hydrogen atom. The position of the nitro group is influenced by existing substituents on the ring, with electron-donating groups directing the substitution to the ortho or para positions, while electron-withdrawing groups direct it to the meta position. This reaction is essential in the synthesis of various nitro compounds, which serve as intermediates in the production of dyes, explosives, and pharmaceuticals.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

Reactions and Properties of Carboxylic Acids

  • The major product of the reaction involving an alahh functional group and silver oxide is a carboxylic acid, specifically the protonated form (answer B) under acidic conditions.
  • In a radical bromination reaction with 1-eth4-isopropyl benzene and bromine under UV light, the bromine selectively replaces the tertiary hydrogen, leading to answer choice C.
  • Bromine reacts with alkanes to replace the most substituted hydrogen, typically the tertiary one, while NBS can also be used for similar radical bromination reactions.
  • When bromine is added to alkenes, it replaces the allylic hydrogen, while in the presence of dichloromethane, it reacts with the double bond, resulting in anti-addition of bromine.
  • For a carboxylic acid, the typical pKa is around 4 to 5, while alpha hydrogens adjacent to carbonyl groups have pKa values around 9 to 20, indicating varying acidity.
  • The IR spectrum shows a broad peak around 2500-3300 cm⁻¹, indicating a carboxylic acid, while the carbonyl stretch appears around 1700 cm⁻¹, confirming the functional group.
  • To produce para-nitrobenzoic acid from benzene, the correct reagents must ensure the NO2 and carboxylic acid groups are para to each other, eliminating options that direct to meta positions.
  • Nitration of benzene with nitric and sulfuric acid introduces an NO2 group, while subsequent reactions must consider the directing effects of substituents to achieve the desired product.
  • The presence of electron-donating groups increases pKa, making the compound less acidic, while electron-withdrawing groups decrease pKa, enhancing acidity.
  • The correct answer for the structure consistent with the IR spectrum is choice B, which includes a carboxylic acid and an alkyne, supported by the observed spectral signals.

19:02

Chemical Transformations in Organic Synthesis

  • Begin with benzene and add methyl chloride to form toluene (C7H8), which is a benzene ring with a methyl group (CH3) attached.
  • Oxidize toluene using potassium permanganate (KMnO4) in H3O+ to convert it into benzoic acid (C7H6O2), a carboxylic acid.
  • Introduce nitric acid (HNO3) and sulfuric acid (H2SO4) to direct the nitro group (NO2) to the meta position, resulting in meta-nitrobenzoic acid.
  • For nitration, use an active metal like tin (Sn) or zinc (Zn) with hydrochloric acid (HCl) to reduce the nitro group to an amine group (NH2), forming aniline (C6H5NH2).
  • Combine aniline with methyl chloride and aluminum chloride (AlCl3) as a catalyst; the nitrogen's positive charge deactivates the benzene ring, preventing further reactions.
  • The Friedel-Crafts alkylation does not proceed with an NH2 group on the benzene ring, halting the reaction before oxidation can occur.
  • The correct answer involves Friedel-Crafts alkylation with aluminum chloride, followed by nitration, leading to para-nitrobenzoic acid as the final product.
  • For converting acid chlorides to esters, use an alcohol; this reaction produces an ester, confirming that alcohol is the correct reagent.
  • The Grignard reagent reacts with acid chlorides to form ketones, while the Gilman reagent adds one R group, also yielding a ketone.
  • Cyclohexanol oxidized with PCC converts to cyclohexanone, which can then undergo a Wittig reaction to form an alkene, utilizing triphenylphosphine and butyllithium.

42:10

Diels-Alder and Aldol Reactions Explained

  • The Diels-Alder reaction can produce either a monocyclic or bicyclic compound depending on whether the diene starts as a ring; starting with a ring yields a bicyclic compound.
  • In the Diels-Alder mechanism, pi electrons from the double bond connect carbon atoms 1 and 6, and 3 and 4, forming a six-membered ring.
  • The reaction involves trans nitro groups, which remain in their respective positions, and a methyl group is present in the structure.
  • An intramolecular aldol reaction with sodium hydroxide and heat forms a six-membered ring, producing a beta-hydroxy ketone as an initial product.
  • Heating the aldol product leads to dehydration, removing a hydrogen and an oxygen group, resulting in a double bond between the alpha and beta carbons.
  • The aldol reaction mechanism includes deprotonation to form a carbanion, which then attacks another carbon, leading to the formation of an enolate ion.
  • The final product of the intramolecular aldol reaction is an alpha-beta unsaturated ketone after dehydration.
  • For optimal yield in a reaction adding a methyl group, LDA as a bulky base and low temperature are preferred to favor the kinetic product.
  • Sodium hydride, a small base, favors the thermodynamic product by removing the more stable green hydrogen, while LDA targets the more accessible blue hydrogen.
  • The reactivity of aromatic rings is influenced by substituents; the ring with a more powerful electron-donating group directs electrophilic substitution more effectively.

01:02:39

HNMR Spectrum Analysis and Compound Identification

  • Atoms in compounds are equally distant, leading to identical signals; compounds two and three generate two signals in HMR Spectrum, indicating potential answers for analysis.
  • Compound four contains three identical methyl groups and one isopropyl group, resulting in five distinct signals due to symmetry and identical protons.
  • The reaction of a ketone with a primary amine produces an imine, while a secondary amine yields an enamine, with water being a byproduct in both cases.
  • The optimal pH for forming an imine from a primary amine and ketone is between 4 and 5 to maximize yield; deviations lower the yield significantly.
  • When reacting cyclohexanone with a secondary amine, the more stable enamine product is favored, which is tri-substituted due to proximity to the R group.
  • For aromaticity, compounds must have six π electrons, be cyclic, fully conjugated, and consist of sp² hybridized atoms; compound D fails this criterion.
  • The presence of signals around 9-10 ppm indicates an aldehyde, while signals between 6.5-8.5 ppm confirm a benzene ring in the HNMR spectrum analysis.
  • In HNMR, a CH₃ adjacent to a carbonyl group shows a signal around 2.3 ppm, while a CH₂ next to an oxygen shows a signal around 3-4 ppm.
  • The correct answer for the HNMR spectrum analysis is compound D, as it matches the expected splitting patterns and chemical shifts for the functional groups present.
Channel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatar

Try it yourself — It’s free.