All Questions
Tagged with reactivity reaction-mechanism
68
questions
40
votes
6
answers
12k
views
How does ammonium nitrate explode on its own?
I thought ammonium nitrate was an oxidizer that needed to be mixed with fuel to form a high explosive (e.g., ANFO). But apparently there have been accidental explosions involving just the "...
- 1,633
20
votes
1
answer
883
views
Carbometalation of alkenes
Alkynes are capable of undergoing carbometalation, e.g. with organocopper reagents:
Why don't the corresponding alkenes undergo analogous carbometalation reactions? Is β-elimination the issue?
- 14.4k
16
votes
6
answers
15k
views
Will bridged compounds the undergo SN1 reaction?
$\mathrm{S}_{\mathrm{N}}1$ reaction involves only one molecule in the rate determining step. So, the molecule which undergoes $\mathrm{S}_{\mathrm{N}}1$ reaction should be stable when it forms a ...
- 3,345
16
votes
3
answers
10k
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Comparing SN2 reaction rates
I've read in a book that the main factor for determining SN2 reaction rate is steric hindrance. The lesser it is, the faster the reaction.
So consider this question:
$\ce{KI}$ in acetone undergoes ...
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12
votes
2
answers
11k
views
Role of methanol in NaBH4 reduction
In reduction of carbonyls (aldehyde and ketones) to alcohols using NaBH4/Methanol, alkoxides are formed with the Boron which usually gets protonated on addition of water/acid.
My question is what is ...
- 129
11
votes
1
answer
4k
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Why are beta-ketoacids better at decarboxylation than gamma or delta?
My book claims that beta-ketoacids and beta-dicarboxylic acids are better at decarboxylating than their gamma and delta counterparts. Why is that?
I would assume that since gamma and delta keto-acids ...
- 1,782
11
votes
1
answer
22k
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How does HF dissolve glass?
By what mechanism does HF proceed in dissolving glass? Why is it the only acid that has this capability? Is it because of the small size and high electronegativity of fluorine?
user10153
8
votes
2
answers
522
views
Determination of products in reactions involving carbocation rearrangement?
How do you determine the "migratory aptitude" of various groups during carbocation rearrangements? Is there a experimentally determined order?
For example, what will be the product in case ...
- 6,795
8
votes
2
answers
459
views
Compare rate of hydrohalogenation between 1,2-diphenylethene and 1-phenylpropene
Consider the compounds, (I) - 1,2-diphenylethene and (II) - 1-phenylpropene. Compare their rate of hydrohalogenation (HX addition)
I feel that the answer should be (II) > (I), but to my surprise it's ...
- 3,862
7
votes
0
answers
239
views
Solve this chemical or biological mystery
I hope this is the best place to pose this unique question. Please forgive me if it's not.
I went into a closet to get a prescription medication that was filled about a year ago.
The label on the ...
6
votes
1
answer
2k
views
SN2: Neopentyl halides and methyl halides
Two part question for you. Let's preface this with I'm in organic chemistry 1, so we're just learning the basics of these reactions.
Are neopentyl halides completely inert to any reaction through any ...
- 91
5
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Phenol or ethanol as a nucleophile for ether formation?
If we react phenol with $\ce{C2H5I}$ in $\ce{C2H5O- Na+}$ (excess), $\ce{C2H5OH}$ (anhydrous) solutions .
In this reaction why is diethyl ether not formed and the actual product is phenyl ethyl ...
- 493
5
votes
1
answer
2k
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p-Nitroaniline reaction with sulfuric acid
An alternative version of the well-known demonstration carbon snake (the dehydration reaction of sugar by concentrated sulfuric acid forming a column of graphite) consists in mixing paranitroaniline ...
- 686
5
votes
2
answers
6k
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Reaction of amines with diethyl oxalate (Hofmann amine separation method)
Why does only one molecule of secondary amine react with diethyl oxalate and two molecules of primary amine react with diethyl oxalate?
I feel secondary amine also should have reacted similar to ...
- 2,209
4
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Comparing SN2 reaction rate for phenacyl chloride and methyl chloride
KI in acetone undergoes $\mathrm{S_N2}$ reaction with (1) and (2). Compare the rates of the reactions.
Like many kinds of these questions there are many factors involved. One is the steric effect, ...
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