Table of contents

1. A Review of General Chemistry5h 5m
2. Molecular Representations1h 14m
3. Acids and Bases2h 46m
4. Alkanes and Cycloalkanes4h 17m
5. Chirality3h 39m
6. Thermodynamics and Kinetics1h 22m
7. Substitution Reactions1h 48m
8. Elimination Reactions2h 30m
9. Alkenes and Alkynes2h 9m
10. Addition Reactions3h 19m
11. Radical Reactions1h 58m
12. Alcohols, Ethers, Epoxides and Thiols2h 42m
13. Alcohols and Carbonyl Compounds2h 17m
14. Synthetic Techniques1h 26m
15. Analytical Techniques:IR, NMR, Mass Spect7h 3m
16. Conjugated Systems6h 13m
17. Ultraviolet Spectroscopy51m
18. Aromaticity2h 34m
19. Reactions of Aromatics: EAS and Beyond5h 1m
20. Phenols55m
21. Aldehydes and Ketones: Nucleophilic Addition4h 56m
22. Carboxylic Acid Derivatives: NAS2h 51m
23. The Chemistry of Thioesters, Phophate Ester and Phosphate Anhydrides1h 10m
24. Enolate Chemistry: Reactions at the Alpha-Carbon1h 53m
25. Condensation Chemistry2h 9m
26. Amines1h 43m
27. Heterocycles2h 0m
28. Carbohydrates5h 53m
29. Amino Acids4h 20m
30. Peptides and Proteins2h 42m
31. Catalysis in Organic Reactions1h 30m
32. Lipids 2h 50m
33. The Organic Chemistry of Metabolic Pathways2h 52m
34. Nucleic Acids1h 32m
35. Transition Metals6h 14m
36. Synthetic Polymers1h 49m

4. Alkanes and Cycloalkanes

Newman Projections

Organic Chemistry

4. Alkanes and Cycloalkanes

Newman Projections

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1:39 minutes

Problem 69

Textbook Question

In Chapter 5, we introduce reaction coordinate diagrams as a plot of potential energy versus the progress of a reaction. Consider the reaction coordinate diagram drawn for the 'reaction' of conformation A becoming conformation B. Which structure is present at the top of the hill?
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Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the reaction coordinate diagram. The diagram plots potential energy (E) versus reaction progress. The starting point (A) represents the initial conformation, and the endpoint (B) represents the final conformation.

Step 2: Identify the 'hill' in the diagram. The peak of the hill corresponds to the highest energy point in the reaction pathway, known as the transition state.

Step 3: Recognize that the transition state is a structure that exists temporarily during the conversion of conformation A to conformation B. It is neither A nor B but an intermediate structure with partial characteristics of both.

Step 4: Analyze the chemical structures provided. The transition state likely involves a momentary arrangement where bonds or angles are strained as the molecule moves from conformation A to conformation B.

Step 5: Conclude that the structure at the top of the hill is the transition state, which represents the highest energy configuration during the reaction process.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Reaction Coordinate Diagrams

Reaction coordinate diagrams visually represent the energy changes during a chemical reaction. The x-axis typically shows the progress of the reaction, while the y-axis indicates the potential energy. These diagrams help illustrate the transition states and intermediates, allowing for a better understanding of the energy barriers that must be overcome for a reaction to proceed.

Transition State

The transition state is a high-energy, unstable arrangement of atoms that occurs during the transformation from reactants to products. It represents the point of maximum energy along the reaction pathway, often depicted at the peak of the hill in a reaction coordinate diagram. Understanding the transition state is crucial for predicting reaction rates and mechanisms.

Conformational Analysis

Conformational analysis involves studying the different spatial arrangements of a molecule that can result from rotation around single bonds. In the context of the question, it refers to the comparison between conformations A and B, where the energy difference between these states can be visualized in the reaction coordinate diagram. This analysis helps in understanding the stability and reactivity of different conformations.

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Related Practice

Textbook Question

Calculate the dihedral angle (θ) for the conformations shown.

(a)

Textbook Question

Calculate the dihedral angle (θ) for the conformations shown.

(c)

Textbook Question

For each of the pairs in Assessment 3.29, which conformation would you expect to be more prominent at equilibrium?

(a)

(b)

(c)

Textbook Question

Choose the conformation in each pair that is most stable. If both are equally stable, then write 'no difference.'

(a)

Textbook Question

Which conformation in each of the following pairs has the least strain energy?

(c)

Textbook Question

Construct a graph, similar to Figure 3-11, of the torsional energy of 3-methylpentane along the C2―C3 bond.

e. Indicate which conformations are the most stable (lowest energy) and the least stable (highest energy).

Textbook Question

Why is it incorrect to say that the dihedral angle shown is 120° or even 109°?

Textbook Question

For each pair of conformations shown, choose which is most stable. [If both conformations have the same number of gauche interactions, choose the one where the interactions are between smaller groups.]

(e)

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In Chapter 5, we introduce reaction coordinate diagrams as a plot of potential energy versus the progress of a reaction. Consider the reaction coordinate diagram drawn for the 'reaction' of conformation A becoming conformation B. Which structure is present at the top of the hill?<IMAGE>

Key Concepts

Reaction Coordinate Diagrams

Transition State

Conformational Analysis

Watch next

In Chapter 5, we introduce reaction coordinate diagrams as a plot of potential energy versus the progress of a reaction. Consider the reaction coordinate diagram drawn for the 'reaction' of conformation A becoming conformation B. Which structure is present at the top of the hill?
<IMAGE>