Question

Can someone help me with this chemistry question

Answer 1

You've drawn it almost completely correct. But in your final product you've shown that you've only added a single oxygen atom when in fact you were adding a Methoxide anion, CH3O-.

Answer 2

oh...so I should just add CH3O to both and it will be right?

Answer 3

I believe so. Just add a little methyl group to the oxygens and you should be fine.

In this SN2 reaction that CH3O- is coming in as a nucleophile and kicking out to replace Br-

Answer 4

Could I attache the methyl group to the center carbon then the O to it ?

Answer 5

No, the oxygen part is what's attaching. Since oxygen is more electronegative than carbon, it has electrons to donate in the reaction, so it attaches there like this:

Answer 6

for the first one it says its wrong because "The stereocenter is inverted in an SN2 reaction."

Answer 7

Don't forget to include the correct R/S designation and the inorganic product too!

Answer 8

what does it mean by "The stereocenter is inverted in an SN2"

Answer 9

Its referring to the configuration of the substituents around the carbon stereocenter. For example if a reactants stereocenter initially had an S configuration its Sn2 product would have an R configuration.

Answer 10

So, looking at your latest image, you need to switch the D and H

Answer 11

Your reactant has an R config. and so does your product

Answer 12

so like this

Answer 13

Yup, that is what I would put

Answer 14

and dont forget the inorganic Br- product!

Answer 15

it doesn't want us to put the leaving group. It says the second product is also wrong

Answer 16

I find that questions like these are what make organic chemistry harder for absolutely no reason.

Answer 17

it gets harder when you have no example and your teacher didn't explain anything yet bc the tutorial is today and this is due tomorrow

Answer 18

@0213 Be careful. Reread the question and make sure EVERY sentence is fulfilled. For instance, your second sentence says exactly where your problem is.

Answer 19

Well darn

Answer 20

@Kainui so i have to include the leaving group?

Answer 21

but what is wrong with the second product ?

Answer 22

No I mean, you're correct... Yes you need to include the leaving group... lol

Answer 23

but it says the second product is wrong

Answer 24

Here is a really helpful orgo link that I give to students I tutor: http://www2.chemistry.msu.edu/faculty/reusch/VirtTxtJml/intro1.htm

Its better than most teachers at explaining orgo topics!

Answer 25

I can't see it, is there stereochemistry involved? It should be identical aside from being an isomer.

Answer 26

So right now both of those are identical.

Answer 27

so what do i do?........... sorry, im very tired and very sick and having 49 questions due tomorrow on orgo chem isn't a walk in a park.

Answer 28

i just want to move on

Answer 29

nvm

Answer 30

At this point id take your screen shot and show the prof.!

Answer 31

Its really hard to do the homework when their is no tutorial or anything and i have no idea how the online homework works....turns out i was right..except it wanted the leaving group in the second box....my prof told us never to include the leaving group bc its not a product