Carbonyl Chemistry Revision

Flashcards covering key concepts in carbonyl chemistry, including reagent use, reaction mechanisms, stability, and applications in drug compounds.

Reduction of Aldehydes and Ketones

What is a common reagent used for the reduction of aldehydes and ketones? Answer: NaBH4.

Leaving Group Stability

Why does a reaction not occur when Y = -H, -R? Because H- and R- are not stable anions and thus not good leaving groups.

Hydrolysis of Acid Chlorides

What can be used to make an amide from an acid chloride? An amine.

Ester Hydrolysis Mechanisms

What are the two types of ester hydrolysis? Acid-catalysed and base-catalysed.

Carbonyl Compound Hydrogen Bonding

How can a carbonyl compound bond with water? By forming hydrogen bonds.

Acidity of Carboxylic Acids vs Alcohols

Why are carboxylic acids stronger acids than alcohols? Due to the resonance stabilization of the carboxylate ion.

Nucleophilic Addition to Carbonyls

Why do nucleophiles add to carbonyl compounds? Because the carbon of the carbonyl group has a partial positive charge.

Drug Compounds and Carbonyl Groups

Why do many drug compounds contain carbonyl groups? They can form hydrogen bonding interactions with receptor sites.

Trifluoroacetic acid vs Acetic acid

Why is trifluoroacetic acid more acidic than acetic acid? The CF3 group is electron withdrawing, stabilizing the carboxylate ion.

Carbonyl Groups

Name the various carbonyl groups: aldehyde, ketone, anhydride, primary amide, secondary amide, carboxylic acid, ester, tertiary amide, thioester, acyl halide, lactone.