"Answers"
to Problem Set 2
Since
several people had difficulty with the problem set, I am making
answers to the problem set available in the following pdf file:
probset2answers.pdf
Please
note:
These are
only possible structures for the answers, not the only answers.
These are the ones I would use. I have intentionally not
provided explanations, because you cannot learn by memorizing my
answers, you must be able to explain the problems in your own way. It
is imperative that you construct your own understanding given the
provided structures.
A couple of
important points:
In order
to determine the strength of an acid look at the stability of its
conjugate base by evaluating the stability of the electron density
using the three rules:
-
Electronegativity of the atom on which electron density exists
-
Delocalization
of the resultant electron density using resonance structures
-
Stabilization
of the electron density via the inductive effect.
When
determining how a molecule will react:
-
Determine all
possibilities of reactivity. Label all atoms with their inherent
reactivity (electrophilic, nucleophilic, acidic or basic).
-
Determine
which atom is the most reactive of each of the four.
-
Look at the
best nucleophile / electrophile reaction and best acid / base reaction
and try to determine based on stability of products, which is most
likely.
Make a list of
all of your questions and we'll see you on monday.
