Reactions of Alkenes

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the reactions of alkenes, including definitions and important rules.

Nucleophile

A species that donates an electron pair to form a chemical bond in a reaction.

Electrophile

A species that accepts an electron pair to form a chemical bond in a reaction.

Markovnikov's Rule

In the addition of HX to an alkene, the hydrogen atom bonds to the carbon with the most hydrogen atoms already attached.

Hyperconjugation

A stabilizing interaction that results from the overlap of a σ-bond with an adjacent empty p-orbital or a π-bond.

Hydroboration-oxidation

A two-step reaction to convert alkenes into alcohols where the alkene is first treated with BH3 followed by oxidation with H2O2.

Dihalogenation

The addition of two halogens across a double bond in an alkene.

Halohydrin

A reaction in which a halogen and a hydroxyl group are added across a double bond of an alkene.

Epoxidation

A reaction that transforms alkenes into epoxides, which can undergo further reactions.

Hydrogenation

The process of adding hydrogen to an alkene or alkyne to convert it into an alkane.

Aromaticity

A property of cyclic compounds with resonance stabilization that must satisfy Huckel's rule: planar structure, fully conjugated pi system, and 4n+2 pi electrons.

Friedel-Crafts Alkylation

A substitution reaction where an alkyl group is introduced into an aromatic ring using an alkyl halide and a Lewis acid.

Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution (EAS)

A reaction where an electrophile reacts with an aromatic ring, replacing one of its hydrogens.

Aromatic Halogenation

The introduction of a halogen into an aromatic compound, typically involving the use of a halogen and a catalyst.

Aromatic Nitration

The introduction of a nitro group (NO2) into an aromatic ring using nitric acid and sulfuric acid.