Carbonyl Chemistry Revision

Practice flashcards focusing on key concepts from Carbonyl Chemistry, covering reactions, mechanisms, and properties of carbonyl compounds.

What is a reagent used for the reduction of aldehydes and ketones?

Common reagents include Lithium Aluminium Hydride (LiAlH4) and Sodium Borohydride (NaBH4) for this reduction.

Why does nucleophilic addition occur to carbonyl compounds?

Nucleophiles add to carbonyl compounds due to the electrophilic nature of the carbon atom in the carbonyl group.

What could you replace water with to make an amide from an acid chloride?

You could replace water with an amine to produce an amide.

Explain why carboxylic acids are stronger acids than alcohols.

Carboxylic acids can stabilize the negative charge on the conjugate base through resonance, while alcohols cannot.

What is the reaction mechanism for acid-catalysed esterification?

The reaction involves the nucleophilic attack of alcohol on the carbonyl carbon of a carboxylic acid, followed by dehydration.

What happens when a carbonyl compound hydrogen bonds with water?

The carbonyl oxygen can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules, affecting properties like boiling point.

Draw the mechanism for nucleophilic addition to a carbonyl group.

The mechanism involves the nucleophile attacking the electrophilic carbon, followed by protonation of the resulting alkoxide.

Draw the reaction mechanism for the hydrolysis of an acid chloride.

The mechanism includes nucleophilic attack by water, subsequent formation of the tetrahedral intermediate, and elimination to form the carboxylic acid.

What are two types of esterification mechanisms?

There are acid-catalysed esterification and base-catalysed esterification, each with distinct nucleophile interactions.

Why do many drug compounds contain carbonyl groups?

Carbonyl groups are often involved in critical interactions such as hydrogen bonding, enhancing pharmacokinetics.