Chapter 6: Ionic Reactions
- Know the properties of alkyl halides
- Understand SN1, and SN2 reactions, and know how to write out the mechanism (curved arrows, intermediates, etc) for a given reaction that falls into one of these categories.
- Understand the kinetics (1st order or 2nd order) of SN1 and SN2 reactions
- Understand carbocation structure and stability.
- Understand transition state theory and be able to sketch free energy diagrams and transition states for given reactions. Understand the difference between exergonic and endergonic. Be familiar with the Hammond-Leffler postulate.
- Understand how the nature of the leaving group, substrate, nucleophile (base), solvent and temperature can affect substitution reactions. Be familiar with various nucleophiles and solvents discussed in lecture.
- Understand stereochemistry of substitution reactions
- Be able to predict the major product(s) of a given reaction, and be able to determine which mechanism (SN1 or SN2) leads to its formation.
Chapter 7: Alkenes and Alkynes I
- Understand the kinetics (1st order or 2nd order) and mechanisms of E1 and E2 reactions.
- Be able to predict the major product(s) of a given reaction, and be able to determine which mechanism (SN1, SN2, E1 or E2) leads to its formation.
- Know physical properties of alkenes, cycloalkenes and alkynes. Understand relative stability of alkenes.
- Be able to name alkenes using the E–Z system of nomenclature
- Dehydrohalogenation: Know this reaction, stereochemistry and mechanism, and be able to predict the major product that would be formed with a given set of conditions and reactants. Understand dehydrohalogenation on cyclohexane rings.
- Know Zaitzev’s rule and be able to identify the Zaitzev product and Hofmann product for a given reaction. Also, be able to predict which of these would be the major product in a given reaction.
- Acid-catalyzed dehydration of alcohols: Know this reaction and possible mechanisms (E1 or E2)
- Understand carbocation rearrangements and be able to write mechanisms for these types of reactions.
- Understand the synthesis of alkynes by elimination reactions of vicinal dibromides
- Understand acidity and reactivity of terminal alkynes
- Understand hydrogenation of alkenes and alkynes (know the various reagents and catalysts discussed in lecture, and the types of products formed in each case).