Isotope effects, dynamic matching, and solvent dynamics in a Wittig reaction. Betaines as bypassed intermediates

Zhuo Chen1, Yexenia Nieves-Quinones, Jack R Waas

  • 1Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University , P.O. Box 30012, College Station, Texas 77842, United States.

Related Concept Videos

Aldehydes and Ketones to Alkenes: Wittig Reaction Overview01:19

Aldehydes and Ketones to Alkenes: Wittig Reaction Overview

The Wittig reaction is the conversion of carbonyl compounds-aldehydes and ketones-to alkenes using phosphorus ylides, or the Wittig reagent. The reaction was pioneered by Prof. Georg Wittig, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
7.1K
Aldehydes and Ketones to Alkenes: Wittig Reaction Mechanism01:14

Aldehydes and Ketones to Alkenes: Wittig Reaction Mechanism

The Wittig reaction, which converts aldehydes or ketones to alkenes using phosphorus ylides, proceeds through a nucleophilic addition‒elimination process.
The reaction begins with the nucleophilic addition between a phosphorus ylide and the carbonyl compound. Due to its carbanionic character, phosphorus ylide acts as a strong nucleophile and attacks the electrophilic carbonyl group. This generates a charge-separated dipolar intermediate called betaine. The negatively charged oxygen atom...
6.0K
Chemical Shift: Internal References and Solvent Effects01:17

Chemical Shift: Internal References and Solvent Effects

In an NMR sample, precise measurement of the absolute absorption frequencies of nuclei is difficult. A standard internal reference compound is added, and the frequency difference between the reference signal and sample signals is measured.
The internal reference compound generally used in NMR spectroscopy is tetramethylsilane (TMS). TMS is preferred because it is chemically inert, soluble in NMR solvents, and easily removable. Also, the highly shielded methyl protons in TMS yield an intense...
1.4K
Diels–Alder vs Retro-Diels–Alder Reaction: Thermodynamic Factors01:31

Diels–Alder vs Retro-Diels–Alder Reaction: Thermodynamic Factors

The Diels–Alder reaction is thermally reversible, meaning that the reaction reverts to the starting diene and dienophile under suitable temperatures. The forward reaction gives a cyclohexene derivative and is favored at low to medium temperatures. The reverse process, also called retro-Diels–Alder reaction, is a ring-opening process favored at high temperatures.
4.2K
E1 Reaction: Kinetics and Mechanism02:46

E1 Reaction: Kinetics and Mechanism

Here, in contrast to the E2 reaction mechanism, we delve into the aspects of the E1 reaction mechanism, which has two steps: rate-limiting loss of the leaving group and abstraction of the beta hydrogen by a weak base. Typically, the experimental proof for the E1 mechanism is via kinetic studies or isotope studies. While the former demonstrates the first-order kinetics—the dependence of the reaction solely on substrate concentration—the latter proves the abstraction of hydrogen only...
14.4K
E1 Reaction: Stereochemistry and Regiochemistry02:43

E1 Reaction: Stereochemistry and Regiochemistry

One of the critical aspects of the E1 reaction mechanism, as also observed in E2, is the regiochemistry, with multiple regioisomers obtained as products. In the example discussed, the presence of water as a weak base favors elimination over substitution to generate two alkenes. Given that alkenes’ stability increases with the number of alkyl groups across the double bond, typically, E1 reactions lead to the Zaitsev product, for this is more substituted and stable than the Hofmann product.
9.3K