6.4.2 Reaction mechanisms

• Understanding reaction mechanisms provides insight into the sequence of events during a reaction.

  True
• What is one application of understanding reaction mechanisms?

  Optimization of reaction conditions
• Radical mechanisms involve highly reactive, neutral free radical species.

  True
• What type of bonds are formed in nucleophilic addition reactions?

  Carbon-carbon and carbon-heteroatom bonds
• Radical mechanisms involve the formation and reactions of free radicals
• What are the two main types of reaction mechanisms in organic chemistry?

  Ionic and radical
• What type of intermediate is formed in ionic mechanisms?

  Charged intermediates
• Steps in nucleophilic addition

  1️⃣ Nucleophilic attack

  2️⃣ Carbocation formation

  3️⃣ Nucleophile addition
• In nucleophilic addition, a carbocation intermediate is formed when the double bond breaks.
• Steps in electrophilic addition

  1️⃣ Electrophile attacks double bond

  2️⃣ Carbocation formation

  3️⃣ Nucleophile adds to carbocation
• Electrophilic addition is commonly used to add halogens or acids across the double bond of an alkene.
• Match the step in free radical substitution with its description:

  Initiation ↔️ Radical initiator breaks a bond

  Propagation ↔️ Radicals react with molecules

  Termination ↔️ Two radicals combine to form a stable molecule
• Understanding elimination mechanisms helps predict products and optimize reaction conditions for alkene synthesis.


  True
• The rate of the E1 mechanism is first-order, while the rate of the E2 mechanism is second-order.
• Understanding reaction mechanisms provides insight into the sequence of events during a reaction.


  True
• What are the two main types of reaction mechanisms?

  Ionic and radical
• Why is understanding the specific reaction mechanism important for chemists?

  To control organic reactions
• Ionic mechanisms involve the movement of electrons to form and break covalent bonds.


  True
• Ionic mechanisms form charged intermediates or transition states
• Knowing the reaction mechanism helps predict the products and optimize reaction conditions.


  True
• In the first step of nucleophilic addition, the nucleophile attacks the electrophilic carbon
• What type of species adds to an alkene in electrophilic addition?

  Electrophile
• What is a reaction mechanism in chemistry?

  Step-by-step process of reactions
• Understanding reaction mechanisms helps predict the products formed in a chemical reaction.
• Match the reaction mechanism with its definition:

  Ionic mechanism ↔️ Formation and breaking of covalent bonds via electron movement

  Radical mechanism ↔️ Formation and reactions of free radicals
• In nucleophilic addition, a carbocation intermediate is formed.
• What is the key process in ionic mechanisms?

  Movement of electrons
• Knowing the specific mechanism helps chemists control organic reactions.


  True
• Ionic mechanisms involve the formation and breaking of covalent bonds via the movement of electrons
• Knowing whether a reaction proceeds via an ionic or radical mechanism is crucial for optimizing reaction conditions.


  True
• What does the nucleophile attack in the first step of nucleophilic addition?

  Electrophilic carbon
• Nucleophilic addition allows the formation of new carbon-carbon bonds.

  True
• What type of intermediate is formed in electrophilic addition?

  Carbocation intermediate
• What are the three key stages in free radical substitution?

  Initiation, propagation, termination
• What type of molecule is formed in the termination step of free radical substitution?

  Stable molecule
• Match the aspect with the correct elimination mechanism:

  E1 Mechanism ↔️ Two steps

  E2 Mechanism ↔️ One step
• What type of reaction is the E2 mechanism considered?

  Concerted reaction
• Knowing reaction mechanisms helps predict the products formed in a reaction.
• Match the mechanism with its definition:

  Ionic ↔️ Movement of electrons

  Radical ↔️ Formation of free radicals
• Organic chemistry mechanisms are categorized into ionic and radical mechanisms.radical