Alkene Nomenclature: Cis and Trans and E and Z
This post was co-authored with Matt Pierce of Organic Chemistry Solutions. Ask Matt about scheduling an online tutoring session here. Earlier on our MOC series on cycloalkanes,
Read moreAlkene Reactions
Addition Reactions: Elimination’s Opposite
In previous series, we’ve discussed acid-base reactions, nucleophilic substitution reactions, and elimination reactions. These represent three of the four most important reaction types in a
Read moreSelective vs. Specific
Many of the transformations you will encounter have the potential to create multiple products – isomers – from a single starting material. The reactions shown
Read moreAddition Reactions: Regioselectivity
In the previous post on addition, we talked about the key pattern of addition reactions [break C-C π, form two new bonds to adjacent carbons] and
Read moreAddition Reactions: Stereochemistry
In the last post on alkene addition reactions, we discussed one of the two key themes to look for in addition reactions: regiochemistry (in other words
Read moreMarkovnikov’s Rule (1)
Onward with addition reactions! Quiz time: let’s see if you can recognize the patterns in the following 3 reactions. Look carefully. What do each of
Read moreMarkovnikov’s Rule (2) – Why It Works
Understanding Why Markovnikov’s Rule Works Let’s assemble all the facts we know about the reactions of alkenes with an acid like HCl so far. 1.Reactions
Read moreCurved Arrows and Addition Reactions
The last two posts have been about a pretty amazing new concept. Not only can lone pairs act as nucleophiles…. but π bonds can too! Alkenes
Read moreAddition Pattern #1: The “Carbocation Pathway”
MOC: What were some of your biggest roadblocks in learning organic chemistry? OCI: Not learning the patterns. I think I wasn’t told that there were
Read moreRearrangements in Alkene Addition Reactions
In exploring reactions that proceed along the carbocation pathway, every once in awhile you might see an example of an addition reaction that looks a
Read more