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Substitution Reactions of Alcohols. We have looked at substitution reactions that take place via two mechanisms: S N 1 - works for substrates that can form relatively stable carbocations...
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Substitution Reactions of Alcohols We have looked at substitution reactions that take place via two mechanisms: SN1 - works for substrates that can form relatively stable carbocations... SN2 - works best for substrates where the carbon that bears the leaving group is sterically uncluttered. Both mechanisms involve loss of the leaving group in the rate-determining step. Good leaving groups are... The problem with alcohols... So, if we want to use alcohols as substrates in these reactions, we must do something to make the –OH group a better leaving group.
Substitution Reactions of Alcohols 3° alkyl halides via SN1 Propose a mechanism for this reaction:
Substitution Reactions of Alcohols 1° alcohols are converted into alkyl halides via SN2 Propose a mechanism for this reaction:
Substitution Reactions of Alcohols Consider the following reaction. We doesn’t it proceed to products? OK, so what if we use HCN instead? The reaction still doesn’t proceed. Why?
Substitution Reactions of Alcohols If we want to make nitriles, we will have to use a different approach. One method is to convert the alcohol into a sulfonate ester. To make a sulfonate ester, you react an alcohol with an appropriate sulfonyl chloride in the presence of an amine (usually pyridine):
Sulfonate Esters An alternative approach would be to deprotonate the alcohol first, then react it with the sulfonyl chloride: The alkoxides can be made by reacting an alcohol with NaH or with an alkali metal (Na or K):
Sulfonate Esters Once the alcohols have been converted to the sulfonate ester, it can then be used in an SN2 reaction:
Substitution Reactions of Alcohols – Converting Alcohols to Alkyl Halides Sulfonate esters make good leaving groups because the pKa of their conjugate acids is ~-6.5, roughly the same as that for Cl-. As such, another strategy for making alcohols a better leaving group is to convert them into a halide!
Converting Alcohols to Alkyl Halides Propose a mechanism for the following reaction: P=O bonds are very strong, making this process favourable.
Converting Alcohols to Alkyl Halides Propose a mechanism for the following reaction:
Converting Alcohols to Alkyl Halides – The Mitsunobu Reaction • A Mitsonobu reaction involves four main reactants: • The alcohol to be substituted • The conjugate acid of the desired nucleophile (e.g. HCl for Cl-) • Triphenylphosphine (Ph3P = (C6H5)3P) • Diethyl azodicarboxylate (DEAD = CH3CH2OC(O)NNC(O)OCH2CH3)
Converting Alcohols to Alkyl Halides – The Mitsunobu Reaction Propose a mechanism for the Mitsunobu reaction:
The Mitsunobu Reaction HX can be a weak acid ... HCN, RCO2H, HN3, ArOH, ArSH This is a very convenient technique for doing SN2 reactions with alcohols without requiring the alkyl halide.
Converting Alcohols to Ethers If you wanted to make an ether, you could imagine an alcohol reacting with itself. What are the two main reasons why this reaction does not work? X The Williamson ether synthesis is a versatile method for making ethers. What kind of mechanism does this reaction follow?
Converting Alcohols to Ethers It is also possible to prepare ethers via SN1 processes. Keep in mind that the nucleophilic site and electrophile site don’t necessarily have to be in different molecules. Propose a mechanism for the following reactions:
Cleavage of Ethers The cleavage of ethers also occurs via substitution reactions. Propose a mechanism for the following reaction:
Cleavage of Ethers The cleavage of ethers can also be done using trimethylsilyl iodide (TMSI):
Epoxides – SN2 substrates With good nucleophiles and under neutral or basic conditions, epoxides are excellent substrates for SN2 reactions. This type of reaction does not proceed with other ethers. Why? no reaction
Epoxides – SN2 substrates Like all SN2 reactions, epoxides react with inversion of stereochemistry at the least hindered electrophilic carbon atom.
Epoxides – SN1 substrates Under acidic conditions, epoxides are good SN1 substrates.
Epoxides – SN1 substrates To understand the reactivity of epoxides under acidic conditions, we have to consider the intermediate that is formed:
Epoxides – SN1 substrates So what does this mean in terms of product distribution?