Topic 52: The Heck reaction

52.1What is a π complex?
 
52.2What is alkene insertion?
 
52.3What is β-hydride elimination in organometallic chemistry?
 
52.4What two types of compounds are coupled in a Heck reaction?
 
52.5What is the generally accepted six-step catalytic cycle mechanism for the Heck reaction, starting with the active catalyst written simply as “Pd0”? [Indicate oxidation state of Pd at each point in the mechanism. For example, Pd0, PdII, PdIV, using Roman numerals for oxidation state.]
 
52.6What are the names of the six steps in the generally accepted mechanism of the Heck reaction, in order?
 
52.7What two steps do the Heck reaction and Suzuki coupling have in common?
 
52.8The Heck reaction generally only works with ethene and with alkenes that have an electron withdrawing group. What do these two have in common? The real question is this: Why doesn‘t the Heck reaction generally work with a simple alkene such as 1-hexene? [Hint: The answer to this is in mechanistic step #4; what is “chain walking”?]
 
8 questions
472 questions for Organic II

472 Questions for Organic II

Dearest Student. This web page is a set of questions I call Detailed Intended Learning Outcomes For Organic Chemistry (Part II). Some time ago I asked myself, "Bob, what do you think are the key questions that you hope students will be able to answer after taking Chemistry 248 at St. Olaf College?" So here you have them. Some are very simple; some require more thought. All are good questions to be thinking about as you read, discuss, and master the practical aspects of organic chemistry. They are discussion starters and review tips. There are no answers here (though there are some clues). The questions are here to help you focus on what's important (to me, at least!) and organize your learning process. The questions are grouped into topics. Bite-size chunks. Take them a few at a time. Don't feast on them all at one sitting!

(preliminary version 2021.01.15 feeback: Bob Hanson)