Chemistry Reference
In-Depth Information
Appendix 3
Student Reaction Glossary
The premise of this topic is based on the presumption that introductory organic chemistry
entails very little memorization. As presented in the chapters contained herein, this
presumption is valid provided the student adheres to the philosophy that the study
of organic chemistry can be reduced to the study of interactions between organic acids
and bases. At this point, use of the principles presented in this topic, in conjunction with
more detailed coursework, allows students a broader understanding of organic chemistry
reactions as described using combinations of fundamental organic mechanistic subtypes.
The mechanistic subtypes presented throughout this topic include those related to the acid-
base properties of organic molecules. These are protonations, deprotonations, and proton trans-
fers. Mechanistic types based on solvation effects include solvolysis reactions, S
N
1, and E1
processes. Additional mechanisms utilizing ionic interactions include S
N
2, S
N
2
0
, E2, 1,2-
additions, 1,4-additions, and addition-elimination processes. Finally, those mechanistic
types dependent upon the presence of cationic species include alkyl shifts and hydride shifts.
On the following pages, forms are provided that are designed to aid students in summar-
izing the various mechanistic components of reactions presented during introductory
organic chemistry coursework. The forms are designed to allow students to summarize
the name of a reaction in conjunction with its flow from starting material to product and
its mechanism. To aid in the description of a reaction's mechanism, mechanistic subtypes
are listed at the bottom of the table. Additional spaces are provided for students to add in
more advanced mechanistic components presented throughout the subject.
As an example, the first form is filled out using the Robinson annulation. In completing
this example, each mechanistic step was numbered in order to relate the appropriate
mechanistic subtype to those listed in the form. Following this format, students are
encouraged to complete additional pages using the reactions described in this topic.
Students are then encouraged to continue using these forms as an aid in the study of
mechanistic organic chemistry.
