Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Stereoisomerism
Stereoisomerism refers to the phenomenon where compounds have the same molecular formula and connectivity of atoms but differ in the spatial arrangement of those atoms. This can lead to different physical and chemical properties. In organic chemistry, stereoisomers include enantiomers and diastereomers, which are crucial for understanding reactions involving chiral centers.
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Determining when molecules are stereoisomers.
Hydroboration-Oxidation
Hydroboration-oxidation is a two-step reaction process used to convert alkenes into alcohols. In the first step, borane (BH3) adds across the double bond of the alkene, resulting in a trialkylborane intermediate. The second step involves oxidation with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in a basic solution, leading to the formation of an alcohol. This reaction is stereospecific and results in anti-Markovnikov addition.
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General properties of hydroboration-oxidation.
R and S Configuration
The R and S configuration system is used to describe the absolute configuration of chiral centers in molecules. To assign R or S, the substituents attached to the chiral carbon are ranked according to their atomic number. The configuration is determined by the orientation of the highest priority substituent: if it is clockwise, the configuration is R; if counterclockwise, it is S. This is essential for understanding the stereochemistry of the products formed in reactions.
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