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Organic Chemistry
Mechanisms of Common Reactions
studied at 'A' level / H2 / H1
Chemistry
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Note to the 'A' level / H2 / H1 Student :
The following are the mechanisms for some common reactions encountered
at 'A' level / H2 / H1 Organic Chemistry. You will not, however, be required
to draw out all of these mechanisms during the exams; only a few are required
and examinable. What is important for you to understand however, is that
these mechanisms are *not* meant to be memorized, but (are meant) to be
worked out for yourself. In other words, if you have well and truly mastered
your organic chemistry principles, you *will* be able to work out *all*
of these mechanisms all by yourself, no memorization at all needed. Practice
is the key to drawing mechanisms, which are indeed, regarded as perhaps
the most enjoyable aspect of Organic Chemistry. The beauty of the logical,
natural, (indeed) philosophical flow of electrons during a reaction pathway
are captured, recreated and experienced through one's mind, heart and hands;
in the appreciation, elucidation and finally crafting, of a reaction mechanism
pathway. Enjoy! ^_^
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Select a Reaction :
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Table of Substituent Directing Effects
during Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution
Note
on Directing Effects of
Electrophilic
Aromatic Substitutions
Halogenation
of Benzene / MethylBenzene
Alkylation/Acylation
of Benzene / MethylBenzene
Nitration
of Benzene / MethylBenzene
Acyl
Chlorides + Alcohol / Phenol --> Ester
Acyl
Chlorides + Ammonia / Amine --> Amide
Acyl
Chlorides + Water --> Carboxylic Acid
Nitration
of Phenol (dil vs conc HNO3)
Bromination
of Phenol (aqueous vs CCl4)
Bromination
of Phenylamine (aqueous)
Reduction of Ester
to Alcohol by LiAlH4
Reduction of
Acyl Chloride / Carboxylic Acid to Alcohol by LiAlH4
Reduction of
Ketones / Aldehydes to Alcohol by LiAlH4
Nucleophilic
Addition of Cyanide ion to
Ketone /
Aldehyde to form Hydroxynitrile / Cyanohydrin
Nucleophilic
Substitution of HalogenoAlkane by Ammonia to form Amine
Mechanism of Tri-IodoMethane Test
Reaction
of Thionyl Chloride with Carboxylic Acid to form Acyl Chloride
Reaction
of Thionyl Chloride with Alcohol to form HalogenoAlkane
Acid
Hydrolysis of Esters
Acid
Hydrolysis of Amides
Acid
Hydrolysis of Nitriles
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Table of Substituent Directing Effects
during Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution
Paula Yurkanis Bruice's "Essential
Organic Chemistry" Pg 180, 184 (Pearson Education,
Inc)
Paula Yurkanis Bruice's "Essential
Organic Chemistry" Pg 180, 184 (Pearson Education,
Inc)
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Acid Hydrolysis of Esters
Acid Hydrolysis of Amides
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Acid Hydrolysis of Nitriles
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Acyl Chlorides + Alcohol / Phenol
--> Ester
Acyl Chlorides + Ammonia / Amine
--> Amide
Acyl Chlorides + Water --> Carboxylic
Acid
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Note on Directing Effects of
Electrophilic Aromatic Substitutions
.
Halogenation of Benzene / MethylBenzene
Alkylation/Acylation of Benzene
/ MethylBenzene
Nitration of Benzene / MethylBenzene
.
Nucleophilic Addition of Cyanide
ion to
Ketone / Aldehyde to form Hydroxynitrile
/ Cyanohydrin
Nucleophilic Substitution of HalogenoAlkane
by Ammonia to form Amine
.
Reduction of Ester to Alcohol by
LiAlH4
Reduction of Acyl Chloride / Carboxylic
Acid to Alcohol by LiAlH4
Reduction of Ketones / Aldehydes
to Alcohol by LiAlH4
.
Nitration of Phenol (dil vs conc
HNO3)
Bromination of Phenol (aqueous
vs CCl4)
Bromination of Phenylamine (aqueous)
.
Reaction of Thionyl Chloride with
Carboxylic Acid to form Acyl Chloride
Reaction of Thionyl Chloride with
Alcohol to form HalogenoAlkane
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Mechanism of Tri-IodoMethane Test
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Click here for
'A' level Chemistry Practice Questions
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Also see :
H1
Chem Specimen Paper 2, plus my comments
H2
Chem Specimen Paper 2, plus my comments
H2
Chem Specimen Paper 3, plus my comments
.
Mechanisms of common reactions
of 'A' level Organic Chemistry
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