Organic Chemistry Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts from the organic chemistry lecture notes, including definitions and significant rules regarding carbocations and reactions.

Carbocation

A positively charged carbon species that is critical in many organic reactions.

Markovnikov's Rule

In the addition of HX to asymmetrical alkenes, hydrogen adds to the less substituted carbon while X adds to the more substituted carbon.

Allylic Carbocation

A carbocation that is one carbon removed from a double bond, which is stabilized by resonance.

Benzylic Carbocation

A carbocation located next to a benzene ring, also stabilized through resonance.

Constitutional Isomers

Compounds that have the same molecular formula but differ in connectivity of their atoms.

Stereoisomers

Compounds that have the same molecular formula and connectivity but differ in the spatial arrangement of atoms.

Tautomerization

The process in which isomers (tautomers) rapidly interconvert, often involving the relocation of a proton.

Homolytic Cleavage

The process of breaking a bond in such a way that each atom retains one of the originally bonded electrons.

Heterolytic Cleavage

The process of breaking a bond with one atom retaining both electrons, leading to the formation of ions.

Radical Reaction

A reaction that involves the formation and reaction of radical species.