Chapter 6: Problem 2
By taking into account electronegativity differences, draw the products formed
by heterolysis of the carbon-heteroatom bond in each molecule. Classify the
organic reactive intermediate as a carbocation or a carbanion.
a.
Short Answer
Expert verified
Products: (a) Carbocation. (b) Carbocation. (c) Carbanion.
Step by step solution
01
Understanding Heterolysis
Heterolysis is the cleavage of a chemical bond where one atom retains both electrons previously shared in the bond. This often occurs between atoms with significant differences in electronegativity. In each example, identify the carbon-heteroatom bond in question.
02
Electronegativity Consideration
Determine which atom in each carbon-heteroatom bond is more electronegative. Electronegativity differences will determine which atom receives the electron pair after bond cleavage. A more electronegative atom will take the electron pair, leading to ions as products.
03
Step 3a: Analyzing Molecule a (CC(C)(C)O)
In molecule (a), the C-O bond is the focus. Oxygen is more electronegative than carbon, so upon heterolysis, oxygen will take both electrons, forming a negative oxygen ion (alkoxide) and a positive carbocation (a tert-butyl cation, \(\mathrm{C}^{+}(\mathrm{CH}_3)_3\)).
04
Step 3b: Analyzing Molecule b (BrC1CCCCC1)
In molecule (b), the C-Br bond is targeted. Bromine is more electronegative than carbon, so the electron pair will remain with bromine post-cleavage, producing a positive carbocation (cyclohexyl cation) and a negative bromide ion (\(\mathrm{Br}^-\)).
05
Step 3c: Analyzing Molecule c (CH3CH2-Li)
In molecule (c), the C-Li bond is considered. Lithium, being a metal, is less electronegative than carbon, so upon bond cleavage, lithium becomes a cation (\(\mathrm{Li}^+\)), and the carbon forms a carbanion (\(\mathrm{CH}_3\mathrm{CH}_2^-\)).
06
Classification of Reactive Intermediates
Based on each heterolytic bond cleavage:- (a) forms a carbocation (\(\mathrm{C}^{+}(\mathrm{CH}_3)_3\))- (b) forms a carbocation (cyclohexyl cation)- (c) forms a carbanion (\(\mathrm{CH}_3\mathrm{CH}_2^-\))
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Electronegativity
Electronegativity is a measure of how strongly an atom can attract or hold onto electrons in a chemical bond. It is a key factor in predicting the behavior of atoms when a bond breaks through heterolysis.
In a heterolysis process, the more electronegative atom in a bond will tend to keep the pair of electrons, leaving the less electronegative atom with a positive charge.
Consider some essential points about electronegativity:
In a heterolysis process, the more electronegative atom in a bond will tend to keep the pair of electrons, leaving the less electronegative atom with a positive charge.
Consider some essential points about electronegativity:
- Electronegativity usually increases across the periodic table from left to right.
- It decreases down a group in the periodic table.
- Fluorine is the most electronegative element, followed by oxygen and nitrogen.
Carbocation
A carbocation is a positively charged carbon atom. It forms when a carbon loses a pair of electrons during heterolysis. This ion often participates as an intermediate in chemical reactions and has some distinctive features.
Carbocations are:
Carbocations are:
- Typically unstable, as they lack a full set of electrons.
- Highly reactive, seeking to stabilize themselves by gaining an electron pair.
- More stable when they are more substituted, meaning that tertiary carbocations (attached to three other carbons) are more stable than secondary and primary carbocations.
Carbanion
A carbanion is a negatively charged carbon atom. It forms when carbon becomes more electronegative than the accompanying atom in a heterolytic bond cleavage, such as a metal in an organometallic compound.
Key characteristics of carbanions include:
Key characteristics of carbanions include:
- Having a lone pair of electrons, which grants them a full octet.
- Being nucleophilic, meaning they tend to donate their lone pair to an electron-poor center.
- Usually more stable with electron-withdrawing groups adjacent, as these groups can delocalize the negative charge.