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Nucleophilic Addition definitions

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Terms in this set (14)

  • Nucleophilic Addition
    A reaction where a nucleophile attacks an electrophilic carbon in a carbonyl, forming a new bond and a tetrahedral intermediate.
  • Carbonyl Compound
    A molecule containing a carbon double-bonded to oxygen, making the carbon highly reactive toward nucleophiles.
  • Nucleophile
    A species with a negative charge or lone pairs that donates electrons to an electron-deficient atom.
  • Electrophilic Carbon
    A partially positive carbon in a carbonyl group, highly susceptible to attack by electron-rich species.
  • Tetrahedral Intermediate
    A transient structure formed when a nucleophile adds to a carbonyl, breaking the double bond and creating four single bonds around carbon.
  • Protonation
    A step where a negatively charged intermediate gains a proton, stabilizing the molecule and often forming an alcohol.
  • Substituted Alcohol
    A product of nucleophilic addition where an alcohol group and a new substituent are attached to the same carbon.
  • Hydride
    A nucleophile consisting of a hydrogen atom with two electrons, commonly used to reduce carbonyl compounds.
  • Reduction
    A process where two hydrogens are added across a double bond, typically converting a carbonyl to an alcohol.
  • Cyano Group
    A substituent containing a carbon triple-bonded to nitrogen, introduced by cyanide nucleophilic addition.
  • Alkynide
    A strong nucleophile and base derived from a terminal alkyne, often bonded to metals in organometallic chemistry.
  • Organometallic
    A compound featuring a direct bond between a metal and a carbon atom, often used as nucleophiles in addition reactions.
  • Partial Positive Charge
    An electron-deficient region, especially on carbonyl carbons, attracting nucleophiles during addition.
  • Leaving Group
    An atom or group that departs with a pair of electrons during a reaction, though R groups in carbonyls are poor at this.