-Acids and Bases
Organic Chemistry -Nucleophiles
-Electrophiles
Test Study Guide: -Leaving Groups
-Chemoselectivity
Ch.4 Organic Reactions -Oxidation-Reduction
Reactions
CONCEPT SUMMARY
Acids and Bases
1. Lewis Acids and Bases
a. Lewis acids are defined as electron acceptors, characterized by the presence of vacant orbitals or positively
polarized atoms.
b. Lewis bases are electron donors, typically possessing a lone pair of electrons and often existing as anions.
2. Bronsted-Lowry Theory
a. According to the Bronsted-Lowry theory, acids are proton donors while bases are proton acceptors.
3. Amphoteric Molecules
a. Amphoteric molecules can function as either acids or bases depending on the reaction conditions; water is
a notable example of such a molecule.
4. Acid Dissociation Constant (Ka)
a. The acid dissociation constant, denoted as Ka, quantifies acidity and represents the equilibrium constant
for the dissociation of an acid (HA) into a proton (H+) and its conjugate base (A-).
b. The pKa value is derived from Ka as pKa = -log(Ka). A lower or even negative pKa indicates a stronger
acid.
5. Trends in Acidity
a. The pKa value decreases down the periodic table and increases with electronegativity, indicating that
acidity trends can be predicted based on these factors.
6. Common Acidic Functional Groups
a. Common acidic functional groups include alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and their
derivatives.
b. Alpha-hydrogens (hydrogens attached to an alpha-carbon adjacent to a carbonyl group) exhibit acidic
properties.
Key Points on Amines, Amides, Nucleophiles, Electrophiles, and Leaving Groups
Amines and Amides
Amines and amides are recognized as common basic functional groups in organic chemistry.
Nucleophiles
Nucleophiles are defined as “nucleus-loving” species that possess lone pairs or π bonds.
They exhibit increased electron density and frequently carry a negative charge.
Nucleophilicity is akin to basicity but is characterized as a kinetic property, while basicity is thermodynamic in
nature.
Factors influencing nucleophilicity include charge, electronegativity, steric hindrance, and the solvent
environment.
Amino groups are prevalent examples of organic nucleophiles.
Organic Chemistry -Nucleophiles
-Electrophiles
Test Study Guide: -Leaving Groups
-Chemoselectivity
Ch.4 Organic Reactions -Oxidation-Reduction
Reactions
CONCEPT SUMMARY
Acids and Bases
1. Lewis Acids and Bases
a. Lewis acids are defined as electron acceptors, characterized by the presence of vacant orbitals or positively
polarized atoms.
b. Lewis bases are electron donors, typically possessing a lone pair of electrons and often existing as anions.
2. Bronsted-Lowry Theory
a. According to the Bronsted-Lowry theory, acids are proton donors while bases are proton acceptors.
3. Amphoteric Molecules
a. Amphoteric molecules can function as either acids or bases depending on the reaction conditions; water is
a notable example of such a molecule.
4. Acid Dissociation Constant (Ka)
a. The acid dissociation constant, denoted as Ka, quantifies acidity and represents the equilibrium constant
for the dissociation of an acid (HA) into a proton (H+) and its conjugate base (A-).
b. The pKa value is derived from Ka as pKa = -log(Ka). A lower or even negative pKa indicates a stronger
acid.
5. Trends in Acidity
a. The pKa value decreases down the periodic table and increases with electronegativity, indicating that
acidity trends can be predicted based on these factors.
6. Common Acidic Functional Groups
a. Common acidic functional groups include alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and their
derivatives.
b. Alpha-hydrogens (hydrogens attached to an alpha-carbon adjacent to a carbonyl group) exhibit acidic
properties.
Key Points on Amines, Amides, Nucleophiles, Electrophiles, and Leaving Groups
Amines and Amides
Amines and amides are recognized as common basic functional groups in organic chemistry.
Nucleophiles
Nucleophiles are defined as “nucleus-loving” species that possess lone pairs or π bonds.
They exhibit increased electron density and frequently carry a negative charge.
Nucleophilicity is akin to basicity but is characterized as a kinetic property, while basicity is thermodynamic in
nature.
Factors influencing nucleophilicity include charge, electronegativity, steric hindrance, and the solvent
environment.
Amino groups are prevalent examples of organic nucleophiles.
