Ethers and Epoxides Lecture Review

These flashcards cover key terms and definitions related to ethers and epoxides, including their properties, reactions, and naming conventions.

Ether

A compound containing an oxygen atom bonded to two hydrocarbon groups.

Diethyl Ether

An example of an ether comprised of two ethyl groups bonded to an oxygen atom.

Alkoxy Group

An alkyl group with an -O- (oxygen) substituent, named by replacing the -yl ending of the alkyl with -oxy.

Functional Group Priority

The ranking of functional groups according to their reactivity and importance in nomenclature.

Williamson Ether Synthesis

A method of preparing ethers by reacting an alkoxide with a primary alkyl halide.

SN2 Reaction

A bimolecular nucleophilic substitution where the nucleophile attacks and displaces a leaving group from a substrate.

Epoxide

A three-membered cyclic ether, which is more reactive due to ring strain.

Halohydrin

A compound formed when an alkene reacts with a halogen in the presence of water, yielding a hydroxyl group and a halogen.

Acid Catalyzed Ring Opening

A reaction in which epoxides are opened via protonation followed by nucleophilic attack.

NCPBA

Peracetic acid used for the preparation of epoxides from alkenes.

Inversion of Configuration

A change in the spatial arrangement of atoms when a nucleophile attacks a chiral center, resulting in a change of stereochemistry.

Stereospecific Reaction

A reaction where the spatial arrangement of reactants determines the spatial arrangement of the products.

Protonation

The addition of a proton (H+) to a molecule, increasing its electrophilicity.

Hydrogens Bond Pair Strain

Stresses in a molecule that arise from the repulsion of electron pairs, particularly in small rings like epoxides.

Alkyl Halide

A compound containing a halogen atom bonded to an alkyl group.

Stereochemistry

The study of the spatial arrangement of atoms in molecules and how this affects their chemical properties.

Carbocation

A positively charged carbon ion, created during certain chemical reactions as an intermediate.