Module 4, 'Overview of organic reactivity', discusses the basis of acid-base and substitution reactions. The focus is reaction basics like nucleophiles, electrophiles, leaving groups and the use of curved arrows to show the movement of electrons that is the basis of all organic chemistry mechanisms. One- and two-step reactions are described and compared, and the concepts of reaction equilibria, energetics and kinetics are described.
Module 4 references chapter 6 of Soderberg. Big ideas:
1. Most reactions involve interactions of nucleophiles (Nu:) with electrophiles (E+) to produce transition states and then products. 2. Reactions run 'downhill' from reactants to products and catalysts increase the rates of reaction by lowering activation energy. Module 4 slide sets: Overview of organic reactivity
(Click on the links below to download each slide set for the lecture.) Introduction: Discovery of thermophiles and Taq polymerase 4.1: A first look at some organic reaction mechanisms 4.1A: The acid-base reaction 4.1B: A one-step nucleophilic substitution mechanism 4.1C: A two-step nucleophilic substitution mechanism 4.2: A quick review of thermodynamics and kinetics 4.2A: Thermodynamics 4.2B: Kinetics 4.3: Catalysis 4.4: Comparing biological and laboratory reactions Resources for students:
> Module 4 lecture outline (PDF) > Module 4 lecture with instructor's notes (PDF) > Module 4 key concepts > Module 4 practice problems > Practice problems KEY > Acid-base reaction mechanism animation > Substitution reaction animations (SN1, SN2, electrophilic) > Diagnostic chart for rxn mechanism: substitution, addition or elimination |
*Assignments:
> Homework set 4 > Nu:, E+ WS > Acid-base rxn WS |