Rules of the Day 3-26-07

1. There are four new concepts associated with chapter 19. Click on these one at a time to get more information.

A) Reactions favor the formation of weaker bases at equilibrium (provides a motive), so you need to have a Table of pKa values

B) Enolates as nucleophiles

C) Beta-Dicarbonyl species are especially acidic

D) Conjugate addition to alpha,beta unsaturated carbonyl species.

2. WARNING Cyclic aldol and Claisen reactions (called a Dieckmann reaction) can be hard to figure out. They work best when forming 5 or 6 membered rings and the best thing for you to do is to number your carbon atoms.

3. Crossed Aldols and Claisens are possible if an excess of an aldehyde or ester without alpha-hydrogens is used.

4. You must be able to use aldol and Claisen reactions, and also how to recognize their products in synthesis problems. You need to practice this!

Homework: Study for the midterm! Read: No new reading Problems: No new problems