Transcript Chapter 7
Alkenes and Alkynes 1
Properties and Synthesis.
Elimination Reactions of Alkyl Halides
The (E) and (Z) system for Designating
Alkene Diastereoisomers
Z = (zusammen) German for together
E = (Entgegen) German for opposite
Rules
1. Assign an atom with greater atomic number as high
priority on each side of the sp2 carbon
Rules
2.
If the two subsitutents attached to sp2 carbon
start with the same atom (tie), move outward until tie
breaks
Rules
If an atom is doubly bonded or triply bonded, the priority
systems treats it as if it were single bonded
Example
Using E and Z designation for the following
Relative Stability of Alkenes
Cis isomer is less stable due to the greater strain from
crowding the adjacent alkyl group
Overall Relative Stabilities of
Alkenes
The greater the number of attached alkyl groups
The more highly substituted the carbon atoms of the double
bond) the greater the alkene’s stability
Synthesis of Alkenes via Elmination
Two methods for alkene synthesis
Dehydrogenation of Alkyl halides
Dehydrogenation of Alcohol
Dehydrohalogenation
1 step reaction
Rate = [Nu:-] [Substrate]
E2 mechanism: conditions
2o or 3o alkyl halide should be used if possible
When a synthesis must begin with a 1o alkyl halide, then a
bulky base should be used
Strong and nonpolarizable base such as alkoxides should be
used in high concentration
Sodium ethoxide in ethanol and potassium ter-butoxide in
tert-butyl alcohol are based typically used in promote E2
reactions
Elevated temperature is usually employed because it
generally favors elimination over substitution
Zaitsev’s Rule: Formation of the More
Substituted Alkene is Favored with a Small Base
Whenever an elimination occurs to give the more stable,
more high substituted alkene Zaitsev’s Rule
Dehydrohalogenation of many alkyl halides, yields more
than one product.
Zaitsev’s Rule: Formation of the More
Substituted Alkene is Favored with a Small
Base
Transition state resemble s how alkene will be substituted
Formation of the Less subsitituted Alkene
using a Bulky Base
Hoffmann Rule applies when elimination yields the less
substituted alkene
The stereochemistry of E 2 Reactions: The
Orientation of groups in the Transition State
Anti coplanar transition state is more preferrable
Staggered conformation
Syn coplanar transition state is prefferred only with rigid
molecules
Eclipsed conformation
A mechanism Where There Two
Axial β Hydrogens
E2 Elimination Where the Only Axial β
Hydrogen is from a less stable conformer
Example
When cis-1-bromo-4-tert-butylcyclohexane is treated with
sodium ethoxide in ethanol, it reacts rapidly; the product is
4-tert-butylcyclohexene. Under the same condition , trans1-bromo-4-ter-butylcyclohexane reacts very slowly. Write
conformational structures and explain the difference in
reactivity of these cis-trans isomers.
Acid-Catalyzed Dehydration of
Alcohols
Removing water molecule to form an alkene
Dehydration
Favored high temperature
The temperature and concentration of acid required to
dehydrate an alcohol depend on the structure of the alcohol
substrate
Some primary alcohol and secondary alcohols also undergo
rearrangements of their carbon skeletons during
dehydration
Mechanism for Dehydration of
Secondary and Tertiary Alcohol
E1 mechanism
Step 1: protonation – a proton is rapidly transferred from
acid to one of the unshared electron pairs of alcohol
Step 2: The carbon-oxygen bond breaks heterolytically. The
bonding electrons depart with the water molecule and leave
behind a carbocation
Step 3: acid-base protonation
Example
Dehydration of 2-propanol occurs in 14M H2SO4 at 100oC
Using curved arrows, write all steps in a mechanism for the
dehydration
Explain the essential role of performed in alcohol dehydration
by the acid catalyst (hints: consider what would have happen if
no acid were present?)