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9.5: Stereochemistry for Halogenation of Alkanes

  • Page ID
    359619
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    For substitution reaction in which a stereocenter is generated, the stereochemistry can be explained by the structure feature of radical intermediate.

    In the structure of carbon radical, carbon has three bonds and one single electron. Based on VSEPR, there are total four electron groups, radical should be in tetrahedral shape. However, experiment evidence indicate that the geometric shape of most alkyl radical is trigonal planar shape, with the carbon in sp2 hybridization, and there is one single unpaired electron in the unhybridized 2p orbital.

    We will take the bromination reaction of (±)-3-methylhexane to explain the stereochemistry. The experiment results indicate that the racemic mixture of R and S 3-bromo-3-methylhexane were obtained with the bromination.

    ""
    Figure 9.5a Bromination reaction of (±)-3-methylhexane

    This can be explained by the stereochemistry of the propagation steps in the mechanism. The carbon radical generated in step 1 is in trigonal planar shape as mentioned earlier. When the radical reacts with bromine in step 2, the reaction can occur at either side of the plane. Because both sides are identical, the probability of the reaction by either side is the same, therefore equal amount of the R– and S– enantiomer are obtained as a racemic mixture.

    Br-and-3-Me-hex-mechanism.png
    Figure 9.5b Propagation steps

    The stereochemistry of the radical substitution is similar to that of SN1 reaction, because both carbon radical and carbocation are in trigonal planar shape.

    Examples

    Show the bromination product(s) with stereoisomers when applied.

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    Solutions:

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    The racemic mixture is obtained.

    Exercises 9.3

    Show all the mono-chlorination products of butane with any stereoisomers when applied.

    ""

    Answers to Practice Questions Chapter 9


    This page titled 9.5: Stereochemistry for Halogenation of Alkanes is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Xin Liu (Kwantlen Polytechnic University) .

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