Alright, jOeCHEMists. Our Gen Chem foundations are strong. We handled Alkanes with ease. We've taken our Stereochemistry vitamins. Now begins what I consider the fun part of Organic Chemistry. In this series, we'll tackle Sn2, E2, Sn1, and E1, and we'll do so by taking each reaction pathway one at a time and exploring it in depth. Once we fully understand a pathway, we'll solidify our knowledge through LOTS of examples for that specific pathway. Then, once we have a good handle on all four, we'll put ourselves to the ultimate test and solve problems without knowing what kind of reaction they are. Our knowledge of Sn2, E2, Sn1, and E1 will allow us to decipher how a reaction will proceed based on the conditions present, and believe it or not, we'll have to lean on everything we've learned prior as well.
https://joechem.io/videos/46 for video on jOeCHEM and attached worksheet + solution (below video on jOeCHEM aka the link). In this video, we talk about nucleophiles/electrophiles, different types of solvents, and indulge in a splash of acid-base review. This video is important to lay some groundwork/foundational knowledge that will be needed for learning SN2/SN1/E2/E1.
https://joechem.io/videos/47 for video on jOeCHEM and attached worksheet + solution (below video on jOeCHEM aka the link). In this video, we take a look at SN2, its mechanism, and the ideal conditions for SN2 to occur. We also talk about the ramifications of SN2 (stereochemical inversion) as well as how it got its street name "Backside Attack."
https://joechem.io/videos/48 for video on jOeCHEM and attached worksheet + solution (below video on jOeCHEM aka the link). In this video, we talk about E2. We dissect the E2 mechansim, necessary conditions for E2 to occur, and what the antiperiplanar requirement is and why we need it.
https://joechem.io/videos/49 for video on jOeCHEM and attached worksheet + solution (below video on jOeCHEM aka the link). In this video, we look at the SN1 reaction, go through the mechanism, and talk about ideal/necessary conditions for SN1. We also talk about how racemic mixtures can be produced via SN1.
https://joechem.io/videos/50 for video on jOeCHEM and attached worksheet + solution (below video on jOeCHEM aka the link). In this video, we talk about E1, how its mechanism proceeds, ideal conditions for E1, and why it is called the "Minor Product." For extra info on E1 and why increased temperatures favor elimination products, checkout https://joechem.io/videos/111
https://joechem.io/videos/111 for video on jOeCHEM and attached worksheet + solution (below video on jOeCHEM aka the link). In this video, we look at why exactly higher temperatures favor elimination products, E2 and E1 (hint, remember our good pal entropy?). This video is the sequel to https://joechem.io/videos/50 (intro to E1).
https://joechem.io/videos/125 for video on jOeCHEM and attached worksheet + solution (below video on jOeCHEM aka the link). In this video, we'll explore carbocation stability, comparing various carbocations and evaluating their stability in relation to one another.
https://joechem.io/videos/55 for video on jOeCHEM and attached worksheet + solution (below video on jOeCHEM aka the link). In this video, we tackle carbocations (talking about what they are), carbocation rearrangements, and how to handle carbocation rearrangements. The following video will be helpful in tackling the worksheet (a little peek into the future at the dehydration rxn with H2SO4, https://joechem.io/videos/56), but if you don't know it at the present time don't sweat it. I placed this worksheet and video here to make sure you knew how to handle carbocation shifts for Sn1, E1 purposes.
https://joechem.io/videos/121 for video on jOeCHEM and attached worksheet + solution (below video on jOeCHEM aka the link). In this video, we build on our Sn1 knowledge that we acquired in https://joechem.io/videos/49. We will tackle two examples where we have both a hydride and methyl shift, take stereochemistry into account, and correctly predict the products.
https://joechem.io/videos/112 for video on jOeCHEM and attached worksheet + solution (below video on jOeCHEM aka the link). This breaks down various problems that are either Sn2, E2, Sn1, or E1 mechanisms and how to distinguish between the four mechanisms. For Part 2, check out https://joechem.io/videos/113
https://joechem.io/videos/113 for video on jOeCHEM and attached worksheet + solution (below video on jOeCHEM aka the link). In this video, we take what we learned in the previous videos and tackle (what I consider) difficult problems and determine which pathway they go through (Sn2, E2, Sn1 or E1) and predict the product.