Answers To Chapter 2 In-Chapter Problems.

2.1. LDA is a strong base. Two E2 eliminations give an alkyne, which is deprotonated by the excess
LDA to give an alkynyl anion. This species then reacts with MeI by an SN2 process.

Cl OMe
N(i-Pr2) H
– OMe
H H H OMe
H OMe
(i-Pr2)N– H OMe –
N(i-Pr2)

Me I
MeO MeO Me

2.2(a). LDA deprotonates the C α to the ester, which adds to the aldehyde to give the aldol product after
workup.

O
O O O O
H3C – H3C
N(i-Pr2) Et
H3C H H3C
O O
CH3 CH3

O O
H3C Et workup
H3C H product
O
CH3 O–

2.2(b). BuLi deprotonates the C α to the nitrile, which adds to the ketone to give the aldol product after
workup.

O Et Et
H O–
Li Bu Et Et workup
N C H N C H N C H product
H H H

2.3. Make: C2–C3. Break: none. Note that because the NaCN is catalytic, its atoms are not incorporated
into the product, and hence there is no need to number them.

1 O 3 O 1 O Ph
cat. NaCN
2 H + 4 H 2 4
EtOH, H2O
Ph Ph Ph 3 OH
 Chapter 2 2
C2 is electrophilic, and C4 is ... electrophilic! To make a bond between them, C2 must be turned into a
nucleophile (umpolung). This must be the purpose of the –CN. Aldehydes are not acidic at the carbonyl
C, so the –CN cannot simply deprotonate C2. Instead, it must add to C2. Now C2 is α to a nitrile, it is
much more acidic, and it can be deprotonated by excess –CN to give an enolate, which can add to C4.
Finally, deprotonation of O1 and elimination of –CN gives the observed product.

O – O– HO – HO O
CN H OEt OEt
H H H H
Ph Ph CN Ph CN Ph CN Ph

HO O– –
O OH O OH

Ph CN Ph Ph CN Ph Ph Ph

2.4.

(a) Make: C2–C5, C2–C6. Break: C2–Br4.

1 3 5
EtO2C 2 CO2Et 6 1 4
2 6 7
5 7 8 NaOEt EtO2C 8 H Br
CHO CHO
4
Br EtO2C3

C2 is both electrophilic and particularly acidic. C5 is electrophilic, and C6 has no reactivity, so the first
bond to be made must be C2–C5. Therefore, deprotonation of C2 gives a nucleophile, which can attack
electrophilic C5 to give an enolate at C6. Now C6 is nucleophilic, and intramolecular SN2 substitution at
C2 gives the product. Although C2 is a tertiary alkyl halide and is not normally expected to undergo SN2
substitution, this reaction works because it is intramolecular.
Br
EtO2C CO2Et EtO2C CO2Et EtO2C CO2Et EtO2C CO2Et
–
OEt
H CHO
Br Br
CHO CHO

(b) Make: C7–C8, C4–C9. Break: none.

1 O 3
1
O2 CH3
2 LiN(i-Pr)(c-Hex); 4 CO2Me
3 7 5 9
H3C 10
6 9 CO2Me 7
5 CH3 10 6 8 H
H3C 4 8
CH3 CH3
 Chapter 2 3
The thing above the arrow is a fancy version of LDA. C4 and C8 are electrophilic, C9 is unreactive, and
C7 is acidic, so first step must be to deprotonate C7 to make it nucleophilic. Conjugate addition to C8
generates a nucleophile at C9, which adds to C4 to give a new enolate. Workup then provides the
product.
CO2Me
O O O
H
– CO2Me
H NR2 H H
CH3 CH3 CH3
H3C H3C H3C
CH3 CH3 CH3

MeO2C O MeO2C O

H workup H
CH3 CH3
H3C H3C
CH3 CH3

(c) Make: C2–C21, C5–C11, C6–C22. Break: none.

8 CH O15 3 8 CH3 O15
7 14 O OMe 14
O16 16 O 9
9 23 23 7 H 13
13 Cs2CO3 6 10
6 5 17 CO2Me 17
12
O11 10 12 18 22 18 22
H
5 11
OH
3 3
19 21 19 21
2 O4 O4
20 20 2
H
1 CO2t-Bu 1 CO2t-Bu

Among the six atoms involved in bond-making, three (C6, C10, C21) are electrophilic, two (C5, C22) are
unreactive, and only C2 is acidic, so first step is deprotonation of C2. The nucleophile adds to C21,
making C22 nucleophilic. It adds to C6, making C5 nucleophilic. It adds to C10, giving the product.

CH3 O O CH3 O
CO2Me

H O O
CsCO3–
H O H O
CO2t-Bu CO2t-Bu
 Chapter 2 4
CH3 O CH O 3 CH3 O
O OMe O OMe O OMe
O O O

O O O product

O O O H OCO2Cs
H H H
CO2t-Bu CO2t-Bu CO2t-Bu

2.5. Because under basic conditions carboxylic acids are deprotonated to the carboxylate ions, which are
no longer electrophilic enough that a weak nucleophile like MeO– can attack them. Upon workup the
carboxylate is neutralized to give back the carboxylic acid.

2.6.
(a) Balancing the equation shows that EtOH is a by-product. Make: C2–C11. Break: O1–C2.
3O
O10 5
6 7
H3C 4 9 11 EtO2C 4 1
8 NaOEt 2 11
CH3 + EtOH
5 H3C 9
EtO2C OEt 6 7 8 10
2 1 O
3 O

C2 is electrophilic, so first step must be to deprotonate C11 to make it nucleophilic. Addition to C2

followed by elimination of O1 affords the product. Because the product is a very acidic 1,3-diketone,
though, it is deprotonated under the reaction conditions to give an anion. Workup then affords the neutral
product.
O O
O
H3C – H3C
CH2 OEt CH2 H3C
EtO2C OEt H EtO2C OEt EtO2C
O O O OEt
O O O
H3C H3C workup H3C
H H H
EtO2C EtO2C EtO2C
H H
O OEt O O

(b) Make: C3–C9. Break: O8–C9.

 Chapter 2 5
10 O
O1 O1
9 11
7 2 8 7 2 O 10
EtO OEt 8
6 3 6 3 9 + EtOH
NaOEt, EtOH
5 4 5 4 11 OEt
The mechanism is exactly the same as drawn in part (a).

2.7.

(a) Make: O1–C9. Break: S8–C9.

15 NO2 15 NO2
6 O2 3 1
14 14
7 S 9 2 O 9
5 8 13 4 13
NaOH
2 1 10 7 10
4 3 12 5 6 8 12
OH SO2–
11 11

The base deprotonates O1, which adds to C9, giving an anion that is delocalized over C10, C12, C14, and
into the NO2 group. The anion then expels SO2– to give the product.
NO2 NO2 NO2
O2 O2 O2
S S S
–
OH
product
OH O O

(b) Make: O1–P5, C2–Br4. Break: O1–C2, Br4–P5.

4 5
Br PBr2 1 5
+ HO PBr2
2 2 4
3 1 3
N O N Br
H

O1 is clearly a nucleophile, and C2 is clearly an electrophile. P5 could be either a nucleophile (lone pair)
or an electrophile (leaving group attached), but because it reacts with O1 and because the P5–Br4 bond
breaks, in this reaction it must be acting as an electrophile. Attack of O1 on P5 in SN2 fashion displaces
Br4, which can now attack C2 in an addition reaction. Finally, the N3 lone pair is used to expel O1 to
give the observed product.

Br PBr2 Br
Br Br product
PBr2
N O N O N O N O
H H H
Br2P H PBr2
 Chapter 2 6
2.8. E2 elimination of HI from the aryl iodide gives a benzyne, which can be attacked at either C of the
triple bond to give two different products.

OMe OMe OMe OMe

I NH2 NH2
NH2
NH2 H NH2

H H
OMe OMe OMe
H
NH2
or H NH2

NH2 NH2

2.9. E2 elimination of HBr from the alkenyl halide gives an alkyne or an allene, neither of which is
electrophilic. The only reason benzyne is electrophilic is because of the strain of having two C(sp) atoms
in a six-membered ring. Remove the six-membered ring, and the strain goes away.

2.10. The first substitution involves attack of PhS– on C6Cl6 to give C6Cl5(SPh), and the last involves
attack of PhS– on C6Cl(SPh)5 to give C6(SPh)6. The elimination–addition mechanism is ruled out in both
cases because of the absence of H atoms adjacent to Cl, so the choices are addition–elimination or SRN1.
The first reaction involves a very electron-poor arene (all those inductively withdrawing Cl atoms), so
addition–elimination is reasonable, although SRN1 is not unreasonable. The last substitution, though, is at
an electron-rich arene, so only SRN1 is a reasonable possibility.
Cl Cl Cl
First: Cl
Cl Cl Cl Cl SPh
SPh
SPh

Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl Cl
Cl Cl Cl
Last: SPh SPh
Initiation: PhS Cl PhS Cl
SPh SPh
PhS SPh PhS SPh
SPh SPh
 Chapter 2 7
SPh SPh
Propagation: PhS Cl PhS

PhS SPh PhS SPh

SPh SPh

SPh SPh
PhS PhS SPh
SPh

PhS SPh PhS SPh

SPh SPh

SPh SPh SPh SPh

PhS SPh PhS Cl PhS SPh PhS Cl
+ +
PhS SPh PhS SPh PhS SPh PhS SPh
SPh SPh SPh SPh

2.11.

(a) An addition–elimination mechanism is reasonable.

NMe3 CN CN

CN CN
N N N N
H CN
H H

(b) An addition–elimination mechanism is not reasonable. Elimination of HBr from the starting material
gives an α,β-unsaturated ketone that is now a π bond electrophile at a C different from the one that
originally had the Br attached to it. The only reasonable mechanism is SRN1.
Initiation: O O
Me Me Br
Br
+ Me Me
NC CO2Et Me Me NC CO2Et Me Me
 Chapter 2 8
Propagation:
O O NC CO2Et O NC Me
Br
Me Me Me Me CO2Et
Me Me Me Me Me Me

O NC Me O O NC Me O
Br Br
Me CO2Et + Me Me CO2Et + Me
Me Me Me Me Me Me Me Me

2.12.
CO2R CO2R CO2R
H H
O O
Zn O2C H+
NCO2Me NCO2Me NCO2Me product
O O
I IZn
H H
Me Me Me

2.13.

(a)

H H
I Zn(Cu) ZnI
≡ “H ” Bu
I I Bu
H H H
(b)
Br
OSiR3
EtO2C EtO2C EtO2C Br
N2
RhII
Rh ≡ “ ” EtO2C OSiR3
EtO2C
EtO2C EtO2C EtO2C

2.14.
CH3
CH3 CH3
H3C C H3C C H3C
H H
R3SiO N2 R3SiO R3SiO
 Chapter 2 9
2.15. Numbering correctly is key to this problem. The written product is missing the fragments COCF3
and MsN, so it is likely that they are connected to one another in a by-product. All the numbering in the
product is clear except for N8, N9, and N10. N8 is attached to Ms in the starting material and is probably
still attached to it in the product. But is N9 or N10 attached to C3 in the product? C3 is very acidic, and
when it is deprotonated it becomes nucleophilic. N9 has a formal positive charge, so N10 is electrophilic.
Therefore, N10 is most likely attached to C3 in the product. Make: C3–N10, C4–N8. Break: C3–C4,
N8–N9.
1 O O5 8 1 O
H 7 N 9 10
N 8H 6
2 6 Ms N 10 2 N 9 N 4 CF3
7
4 CF3 N Ms
3 3 +
O5

N8 deprotonates C3 to make the latter nucleophilic, and it adds to N10. The lone pair on N10 is then used
to expel N8 from N9. N8 then comes back and adds to C4, and expulsion of C3 from C4 affords the two
products.

O O O O
H N
Ms N
CF3 N CF3 Ms
N N NH

O O O O
NH
CF3 CF3
N N NH N N Ms
Ms
O O H O
N O
Ms H
CF3 N
+ Ms
N N N N CF3

2.16.
O O
O O O O
O O
R base R R O
O OH O O
 Chapter 2 10
Answers To Chapter 2 End-of-Chapter Problems.

1. (a) Substitution at a 3° alkyl halide rarely proceeds by an SN2 mechanism, unless the reaction is intra-
molecular. In this case SN2 is even less likely because of the highly hindered nature of the electrophile and
the fact that the electrophilic C is unlikely to want to expand its bond angles from 109° to 120° on
proceeding through the SN2 transition state. The other possibility in this case is SRN1, which is reason-
able given the heavy atom nucleophile and the requirement of light.

Initiation: hν
PhS– [PhS–]*
Me Me
Me Me
Cl Cl
[PhS–]* + PhS +
Br Br
Me Me
Me Me

Propagation: Me Me
Me Me
Cl Cl
+ Br–
Br
Me Me
Me Me

Me Me
Me Me
Cl Cl
–
+ SPh
SPh
Me Me
Me Me

Me Me Me Me
Me Me Me Me
Cl Cl Cl Cl
+ +
SPh Br SPh Br
Me Me Me Me
Me Me Me Me

(b) The 1° halide will definitely undergo substitution by an SN2 mechanism. Indene is a pretty good acid
(pKa≈ 19) due to aromatic stabilization of the anion. After deprotonation with BuLi, it attacks the electro-
philic C by SN2. A second equivalent of indenyl anion then redeprotonates the indenyl group of the
product, allowing a second, intramolecular SN2 reaction to proceed to give the observed product.

H H H
O
Li Bu Cl
Cl O
 Chapter 2 11

O
O O
H
Cl Cl O
O O

(c) This 3°, uninvertable halide cannot undergo SN2 substitution. An elimination–addition mechanism is
unlikely because the base is not terribly strong and the neighboring C–H bonds are not parallel to the C–I
bond. The most likely possibility is SRN1. C(sp3)–I bonds are good substrates for SRN1 reactions. The
FeCl2 is a one-electron reducing agent (FeII → FeIII) that acts as an initiator.

Initiation: FeCl2 +
+ FeCl2
I I

Propagation:
+ I–
I

O– O
+ H
Ph Ph
H H H

Ph + I
H H
O
+ I
Ph

(d) Substitution on arenes with strongly electron-withdrawing groups usually takes place by an addition–
elimination mechanism. In this case the leaving group is nitrite, –NO2.

NO2 NO2 NO2

CN – CN CN
OMe –
+ NO2
NO2
NO2 OMe
OMe
H H H
 Chapter 2 12
(e) The first product results from halogen–metal exchange. The mechanism of halogen–metal exchange is
not well understood. It may proceed by SN2 substitution at Br by the nucleophilic C, or it may involve
electron transfer steps. (See Chapter 5.)

Br Li
Li n-Bu ≡ + Br n-Bu

Small amounts of aromatic substitution product are often formed during halogen–metal exchange. Many
mechanisms are possible.

The major product PhLi could react with the by-product n-BuBr in an SN2 reaction.

Addition–elimination could occur. PhBr is not an electrophilic arene, but the very high nucleophilicity of
n-BuLi may compensate.

An SRN1 reaction could occur.

Elimination–addition (benzyne mechanism) could occur.

Certain experiments would help to rule these possibilities in or out.

Elimination–addition goes through a benzyne intermediate, and the nucleophile can add to either benzyne
C, so both 3- and 4-bromotoluene should give mixtures of products if this mechanism is operative.

Addition–elimination would accelerate (compared to halogen–metal exchange) with electron-withdrawing

groups on the ring and decelerate with electron-donating groups on the ring.

If the SN2 mechanism is operative, changing n-BuLi to s-BuLi would reduce the amount of substitution
product a lot, and changing it to CH3Li would increase it. If the SRN1 mechanism is operative, changing
n-BuLi to s-BuLi would not change the amount of substitution much, and changing it to CH 3Li would
reduce it a lot.

(f) Acyl chlorides can undergo substitution by two mechanisms: addition–elimination or elimination–
addition (ketene mechanism). In this case, elimination–addition can’t occur because there are no α H’s.
The mechanism must be addition–elimination.
 Chapter 2 13
O Cl O– O
NEt3
O H O
Ph Cl O Ph O Ph

(g) This acyl chloride is particularly prone to elimination because of the acidicity of the benzylic H’s.
Addition–elimination can’t be ruled out, but elimination–addition is more likely.

O O– O
NEt3 O
Ph Ph Ph R Ph R
Cl O O
H H H H H H
NEt3 H NEt3
RO H RO–

(h) The reaction proceeds by an SN2 mechanism. The reaction has a very low entropy of activation, so it
proceeds despite the loss of aromaticity. The product is a model of the antitumor agent duocarmycin.
DNA reacts with duocarmycin by attacking the CH2 group of the cyclopropane ring in an SN2 reaction.

I I I I I

NaH

HO N –
O N O N

(i) This nucleophilic substitution reaction at aromatic C(sp2) can proceed by addition–elimination, elimi-
nation–addition, or SRN1. In this case, addition–elimination is low in energy because of the strong
stabilization of the Meisenheimer complex by aromaticity of the five-membered ring.

Cl Cl OEt OEt

–
OEt

(j) The mechanism cannot be SN2 because of the 3° alkyl electrophile. The most likely mechanism is
SRN1, which proceeds through radical anions. The best resonance structure of the radical anion of the
starting material puts the odd electron in the aromatic ring, and the best resonance structure of the radical
anion of the product puts the odd electron on S, but in both cases it is more convenient to draw the
resonance structure in which there is a three-electron, two-center bond.
 Chapter 2 14
Initiation: NC CN NC CN

t-Bu Et + PhS– t-Bu Et + PhS

OAr OAr

Propagation:
NC CN NC CN

+ –
t-Bu Et t-Bu Et OAr
OAr

NC CN NC CN

+ –
t-Bu Et SPh t-Bu Et
SPh

NC CN NC CN

t-Bu Et + t-Bu Et
SPh OAr

NC CN NC CN

t-Bu Et + t-Bu Et
SPh OAr

(k) Substitution at aromatic C(sp2) can occur by one of three mechanisms. Addition–elimination requires
that the ring be substituted with electron-withdrawing groups. Elimination–addition requires very strong
bases like NH2–. The third mechanism, SRN1, is operative here; the light is a clue that radicals are
involved.

Initiation:
O– O
Br + Br +
i-Pr i-Pr
Propagation:

Br + Br–

O– O
+
i-Pr i-Pr

O O
+ Br + Br
i-Pr i-Pr
 Chapter 2 15
(l) The mechanism clearly cannot be SN2, because substitution occurs with retention of configuration.
Two sequential SN2 reactions are a possibility, but unlikely, because –OAc is a lousy leaving group in SN2
reactions. It is more likely that an elimination–addition mechanism operates. The AcO group is α to N,
and the lone pair on N weakens and lengthens the C–O bond, making it prone to leave to give an N-acyl-
iminium ion. The AcO– deprotonates the ketoester to give an enolate, which adds to the electrophilic C=N
π bond from the less hindered face (opposite from the substituent on C2 of the lactam), giving a trans
product as observed.

OTBS OTBS
H H H H
H3C OAc H3C
N N
O H O H
O
O – O H H
OAc H H nucleophile has
H N
CO2R CO2R attacked less
N hindered (top)
H RO2C
O H face of π bond
TBSO
TBSO O
CH3
CH3

2. (a) Cyanide can act as a nucleophile toward the bromoester, displacing one Br– in an SN2 reaction to
give a cyanoacetate. The cyanoacetate (pKa = 9) is deprotonated by another equivalent of –CN (pKb = 9)
to give an enolate that attacks the other bromoester to give the product.

NC CO2Et
EtO2C CO2Et – –
CN H CN
H H H
Br Br
Br CO2Et
NC CO2Et CN
CO2Et
deprotonation, reprotonation on
other side can epimerize this center
H
to more stable diastereomer
CO2Et
Br CO2Et H

(b) The acyl chloride is a potent electrophile and N3– is a nucleophile, so the first part of the reaction
involves addition–elimination to make the acyl azide. Upon heating, the Ph–CO bond breaks and a Ph–N
bond forms. This suggests a 1,2-shift, promoted by loss of N2.
 Chapter 2 16
O – O
O Cl
N N N N N
N N
Ph Cl Ph N Ph N

O O N
N ∆ N
N N C O
Ph N Ph N Ph

(c) Make: C1–C5, C1–C5', C3–C5. Break: C5–OEt (twice), C5'–OEt (once). Each substitution at
C(sp2) must occur by addition–elimination. The particular order of acylation events can vary from the
answer given here.

4 O
5'
H3C 3 2 CO2Et
O 5 5' NaOEt 1 5
+ 2 EtO2 CCO2Et 5
H3C 3 1
4 2 CH3 O
O 5'
OH
– O
O O
–
H3C OEt H3C OEt
CH3 CH3 EtO
H H H O
O O O
H H H
H3C H3C H3C H
CH3 CH3 – C H OEt
OEt
–
H
O O O O
–
O O
EtO
OEt OEt OEt
– –
O O O O OEt
H O
H3C H –
H3C H H3C OEt
C OEt C OEt
H H EtO
O OEt OEt O
HO HO O HO
OEt O O
O O O– O O
O
H3C OEt H3C OEt H3C
– OEt
OEt
H H H
OEt O OEt O H
HO HO HO OEt O
O O O–
 Chapter 2 17
O
O O O
H
H3C H3C CO2Et H3C CO2Et
OEt –
OEt
H EtO H
HO O O O
O O
–
O O OH
H

(d) Either the α or the γ carbon of the Grignard reagent can attack the nitrile. Isomerization of the initial
product occurs upon workup, probably by protonation–deprotonation (rather than deprotonation–pro-
tonation) because of the weak acidity and decent basicity of imines.

MgCl
H2C
O O N– O NH
H OH H OH
C N
w-u

NH2 NH2
O O
–
OH
H H

(e) One C–C and one C–O bond are formed. The ketone O is not nucleophilic enough to participate in
SN2 reactions, so the initial event must be attack of the ester enolate on the ketone. Sodium amide acts as a
base.

O
H H – H Cl H H
NH2
OEt EtO Ph CH3 CH3 CH3
Cl Cl EtO2C EtO2C
–
O Ph O
O O– Ph

(f) The C in diazomethane is nucleophilic. The product of attack of diazomethane on the carbonyl C has a
leaving group α to the alkoxide, so either a 1,2 alkyl shift or direct nucleophilic displacement can occur.
– + – +
The insertion product happens to dominate with H2C–N2, but with H2C–SMe2 the epoxide dominates.

O– O
O
H2C N N CH2 CH2
≡ O
N
H N H
H H
O–
O
CH2
N CH2
H N
H
 Chapter 2 18
(g) Cyclopentadiene is very acidic, and its conjugate base is very nucleophilic. It can undergo aldol
reactions with carbonyl compounds. After dehydration, a fulvene is obtained. The fulvene is an electro-
phile because when a nucleophile adds to the exocyclic double bond, the pair of electrons from that bond
makes the five-membered ring aromatic.

O H3C CH3
H –
OEt
H H C O–
H 3 CH3 H
H OEt
H3C CH3
CH3 CH3 CH3
–
OH CH3 CH3
H – CH3
OEt OH CH3 CH3
H H+ H
H H
H
H
H+ t-Bu t-Bu t-Bu t-Bu

(h) Two new bonds are formed: O3–C6 and C5–C7. O3 is nucleophilic, while C6 is moderately electro-
philic; C5 is nucleophilic only after deprotonation, and C7 is quite electrophilic. Under these very mildly
basic conditions, it is unlikely that C5 will be deprotonated, so it is likely that the O3–C6 bond forms first.
The purpose of the acetic anhydride (Ac2O) is to convert the weakly electrophilic carboxylic acid into a
strongly electrophilic mixed acid anhydride. The mild base deprotonates the carboxylic acid, which makes
a weakly nucleophilic carboxylate ion (on O). Reaction of the carboxylate with the electrophilic Ac2O
gives, after addition–elimination, the mixed anhydride, which is strongly electrophilic at C6. O3 can then
attack C6 to give, after addition–elimination, the initial cyclic product. At this point C5 becomes particu-
larly acidic because the conjugate base is aromatic. The aldol and dehydration reactions with benzaldehyde
then proceed normally.

O 6 3
3 O O
7
4 6
AcONa 5
PhCHO + 1
H3C 2 N 5 CO2H Ac2O 7
N 2 CH3
H 1
4
Ph
O H O O
–
O OAc O–
H3C N H3C N H3C OAc
H H
O O
 Chapter 2 19
–
O OAc O
H3C O H3C O H3C O
O CH3 O CH3 OAc
HN HN N O–
O O H
O O O– O
H
– – H
O OAc O H OAc O Ph H
N N N
H3C H H3C H3C
O H Ph O H OH O– OH O H
H
O– Ph
O H O H O Ph O Ph
H
N N N N
H3C OAc H3C – H3C H3C
OAc

(i) Overall, the 1° OH is replaced by H. The H is presumably coming from LiAlH4, a good source of
nucleophilic H–, so the 1° OH must be transformed into a good leaving group. The first step must
transform the 1° alcohol into a tosylate. The mechanism of reaction of an alkoxide with TsCl is probably
SN2; the purpose of the DMAP is to catalyze the reaction, either by acting as a strong base or by displacing
Cl– from TsCl and then being displaced itself. In the next step, DBU is a nonnucleophilic base; elimina-
tion is not possible (no β H’s), so it must deprotonate an OH group. This converts the OH into a good
nucleophile. In this way, the 3° OH can react with the tosylate to give an epoxide. The epoxide is quite
electrophilic due to ring strain, and so it acts as an electrophile toward LiAlH4 to give the observed
product.

Step 1:

OH OH Cl O OH
H S
pyr – O Ar
O O OTs

OH OH OH
Step 2:

OH OH OH
N

OTs N OTs H
H
O H O– O
 Chapter 2 20
Step 3:
H
OH OH OH
H Al H
H workup O
H H3C
H CH3 H3C CH3
–
O
O O OH

(j) LDA deprotonates the less hindered of the two acidic C atoms. A Robinson annulation then occurs by
the mechanism discussed in the text. Two proton transfers are required in the course of the annulation,
and both must occur by a two-step mechanism in which the substrate is first protonated, then deproton-
ated. The most likely proton source is the ketone of starting material or product. (The solvent cannot be a
proton source in this particular reaction because it is carried out in THF. The conjugate acid of the LDA
used to initiate the reaction cannot be used as a proton source either, because it is not acidic enough.)

O O–
H H –
N(i-Pr)2 H
H H
i-Pr H i-Pr
H3C O

O
H O
H H H
i-Pr i-Pr
H H
H3C O H O
H
H

O
H H H H
O
i-Pr H H
H2C O O H
i-Pr O– H
H

H H H
O
H H H
O O O
i-Pr OH H i-Pr OH i-Pr
H H
 Chapter 2 21
(k) Make: C7–C9, C8–C13, and either O11–C13 or C10–O14. Break: Either C10–O11 or C13–O14.

11 1 Et
3 1 O 10 9
2 3 10
4 1) Et 2
9 O 11 or 14
Mg 12 13 14
4 7
5 2) O=C=O
7 5
6 8 6 8 13
3) H3O+ O 12

C9 and C11 are both electrophilic. The cyclic magnesium compound is nucleophilic at C1 and C8, and
allylically at C7 and C2. The first step, then is nucleophilic attack of nucleophilic C7 on electrophilic C9 to
give an alkoxide. Then when CO2 is added, the nucleophilic C8 carbanion attacks the electrophilic C11.

O CH2 CH2 O
+
Et Mg O C O O–
Mg
O– O–

Et Et

Upon addition of acid, the alcohol reacts with the carboxylic acid to give a lactone (cyclic ester). This
acid-catalyzed reaction is discussed in detail in Chapter 3. The reaction is far more likely to occur by attack
of O11 on C13 than by attack of O14 on C10.

CH2 Et CH2 Et CH2 Et

–
O OH OH
– H+ H+
O OH OH

O O O H
CH2 Et CH2 Et CH2 Et CH2 Et
~H+
O H O O O

OH OH2
OH OH O H O

(l) 1,4-Diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) can act as either a base or a nucleophile. When it acts as a
base, it deprotonates C2 to give an enolate, which attacks the aldehyde in an aldol reaction to give the
product after proton transfer. When it acts as a nucleophile, it adds to the electrophilic C3 to give an
enolate, which attacks the aldehyde in an aldol reaction. Elimination of DABCO by an E2 or E1cb
mechanism then gives the product.
 Chapter 2 22
Mechanism with DABCO as base:
H EtO O– O
N N
H OEt
C Et H
H O
H H

O– H N N OH
H H
CO2Et CO2Et
Et Et
CH2 CH2
Mechanism with DABCO as nucleophile:
O H – O
O H
N N H
EtO H EtO N Et H
H H N
–
O H O H O H
H +
H
~H
EtO N EtO N EtO H
(two steps)
Et H N N
– Et OH Et OH
O

The second mechanism is much more likely, even without the information in problem (m), as C(sp2)–H
bonds α to carbonyls are not very acidic. (See Chapter 1.)

(m) Nucleophilicity is dramatically affected by steric bulk, whereas basicity is only slightly affected. If
steric bulk in the amine catalyst affects the rate of the reaction dramatically, then DABCO must be acting as
a nucleophile, not a base.

(n) Make: C1–C5, C6–acetone. Break: C1–N. This is a Shapiro reaction. Addition of BuLi to the
hydrazone deprotonates N, then deprotonates C7 to give a dianion. α-Elimination of ArSO2– gives an
intermediate that loses N2 to give an alkenyl anion. This undergoes intramolecular addition to the pendant
π bond to give an alkyl anion, which is quenched with acetone to give the product. The addition of the
alkenyl anion to the unactivated π bond occurs because of the low entropy of activation, the very high
nucleophilicity of the anion, and the favorable formation of a C–C σ bond, and despite the poor electro-
philicity of the π bond and the formation of a higher energy C(sp3) anion from a lower energy C(sp2)
anion.
 Chapter 2 23

6
7 7
1 NNHSO2Ar 1 5 OH
BuLi, TMEDA;
4
3 5 acetone
2 4 6 2 3

H H H H H
N N 2 BuLi N N N N
SO2Ar SO2Ar

H H H
N N
N N

H O
CH2
O– workup OH

(o) This is a Bamford–Stevens reaction. We are forming a new C–C bond to a remote, unactivated C,
suggesting a carbene inserting into a C–H bond. The base deprotonates N. α-Elimination of ArSO2–
gives the diazo compound, which spontaneously loses N2 to give the carbene. The carbene inserts into the
nearby (in space) C–H bond to give the product.

N N
NaOMe
MeN N SO2Ar MeN N SO2Ar
H
H
N N N
MeN N MeN H MeN H MeN

H H H

(p) LDA is a strong, nonnucleophilic base. It will deprotonate the diazo compound, turning it into a good
nucleophile. Addition to the aldehyde C=O bond and workup gives intermediate A. Now, treatment of A
with Rh(II) generates a carbenoid, which reacts as if it were a singlet carbene. A 1,2-shift gives the enol,
which can tautomerize to the observed product.
 Chapter 2 24

H i-Bu
H
H N2
–
N(i-Pr)2 H+
N2 CO2Et CO2Et OH
N2
i-Bu O CO2Et A
i-Bu i-Bu i-Bu
Rh2 (OAc)4 H H
H tautomerization
A OH OH H O
CO2Et CO2Et CO2Et

(q) Make: C2–C10, C6–C12, C9–C13. Break: none. C2 and C6 are nucleophilic (once they are
deprotonated), while C9, C10 and C12 are electrophilic. C2 is by far the most acidic site, so the C2–C6
bond is probably formed first.

4
O 5
7 11 13 O 3
12 14 8 7
MeO2C 2 6 9 10 6
1 8 CO2Me CO2Me 9 CO2Me
O 2
12 1
4 5 NaH 10
3 14 13
MeO2C 11
HH
MeO2C O MeO2C O– H H
H H H
8 CO2Me CO2Me H 10 OMe
6 2
NaH
2
H H O

MeO2C O MeO2C O
CO2Me CO2Me
6 6
H OMe H OMe
H H H
O– 12 O
H HH
H H H H
MeO2C O O MeO2C O MeO2C O
9 O–
OMe OMe O
H OMe H H
HH HH OMe HH OMe
H 13 H H
H H O– H H H H
O O

(r) The by-product is MeCl. Make: P–Bn, Me–Cl. Break: O–Me. The first step is attack of nucleophilic
P on the electrophilic BnCl. Then Cl– comes back and attacks a Me group, displacing O– to give the
phosphonate.
 Chapter 2 25

+ O – + O–
P(OMe)3 Ph P Me Cl Ph P MeCl
Cl Ph
MeO OMe MeO OMe

(s) Clearly simple SN2 can’t be the answer, as configuration is retained at C2 and 18O incorporation into
the product is not observed. The other electrophilic site in this compound is the S of the Ms group.
Cleavage of the Ms–OR bond can occur under these basic conditions. Attack of Me(*O)– on the S of the
Ms group displaces RO– and gives Me(*O)Ms. Me(*O)Ms is an electrophile at C that can react with the
sugar alkoxide to give the observed product.

–
– (O*)Ms
(O*)Me Me (O*)Ms
MeO O O O
MeO MeO
MeO Me MeO MeO
O S O– OMe
MeO MeO MeO
O O
Ms– = MeSO2–

(t) The benzilic acid rearrangement was discussed in the text (Section E.1).

O 2 3
HO2C 2 1
3 1 NaOH
N N
HO 4 5
Ph Ph
O 4 5

– HO
O OH
– –
O HO2C O2C
N N –
N N
O HO
O Ph O Ph Ph Ph

(u) Make: C3–O5, C8–C4. Break: C3–Br. Because C8 is very acidic (between the NO2 and carbonyl
groups) while C4 is electrophilic, the first bond-forming step is likely to form C8–C4. Then displacement
of Br from C3 by O5 gives the product.

O–7
O Br O7 5 6
3 5 6N CO2Et
1 H O N
+ – 8 H3C 2 8
2 O CO2Et
H3C H 3
4 4
1 H H
H O H H
 Chapter 2 26
O O Br O
–
EtO2C N OCO2Na EtO2C N
O– O–
H CH3
H H H H

O Br O O Br H O
– H OCO2Na –
O N O N
EtO2C CH3 EtO2C CH3
H H H NaOCO2– H H H
–
O
O Br H O N O
– H
O N CH3
EtO2C
CH3
EtO2C H H H H O

(v) Numbering the atoms correctly is key here. The cyanide C in the product could be C1 and the formate
C, C3, or vice versa. How do we tell which? If the cyanide C is C3, this would mean that attack of C3
on C4 would occur. But this reaction would not require base, and we’re told that base is required for the
first bond-forming reaction to occur. On the other hand, if the cyanide C is C1, then the first step could be
deprotonation of the relatively acidic C1 (next to Ts and formally positively charged N) followed by attack
of C1 on electrophilic C4. The latter is more reasonable. Make: C1–C4, O5–C3, O6–C3. Break: C3–
N2, C4–O5, C1–Ts.

H H 6
2 4 5 t-BuOK, EtOH 4 1 2 O5
Ts 1 N 3 + O C N 6 Ts–
C CH2Cl2
H EtO 3 H

Deprotonation of C1 is followed by attack of C1 on C4 to give an alkoxide at O5. O5 can then attack

electrophilic C3 (next to a heteroatom with a formal plus charge!) to give a five-membered ring with an
anionic C, which is immediately protonated. Deprotonation of C1 again is followed by cleavage of the
C4–O5 bond to give an amide.

H H –
H O H O–
OR
Ts N Ts N Ts N
C C C
 Chapter 2 27
EtO–
H H
Ts
Ts H OEt Ts Ts H OEt
O O O O
N N N N

H H H

Ts – Ts O
H OEt H C N Ts–
O H EtO H
N N H
OEt
H O–

(w) Two equivalents of trifluoroacetic anhydride are required, so there are two C5’s and two O6’s. One
of those C5’s, C5a, ends up attached to C4 in the product. The other, C5b, must end up attached to O1,
which is absent from the product. Make: O1–C5a, C4–C5b. Break: O1–N2, C5a–O6a, C5b–O6b. O1 is
nucleophilic, C5a is electrophilic, so the first step is probably attack of O1 on C5a. Elimination of
CF3CO2H can now occur to break the O1–N2 bond. This gives an iminium ion, which can be deproton-
ated at C4 to give an enamine. Enamines are nucleophilic β to the N, so C4 is now nucleophilic and can
attack C5b; loss of H+ from C4 gives the product.

O O
O O
HN 2 HN
Me H O 6
Me 2 H O
N2 F3C 5 O CF3 N
1 –O OMOM OMOM
3 pyr, CH2Cl2 3 4
H 4 O
H
H H H +
H H 5a 1
O CF3 F3C 5b O–

O O
H H H H
H H H H –
H F3C O CF3 H O O
O– O
N N O CF3
H Me H Me CF 3

H H pyr H H pyr
H H H
H O H
O
N CF3 N
H Me H Me
 Chapter 2 28
–
O CF3
H O O
H O O
H H
H F3C O CF3 H
CF3
N N
H Me H Me
F3C O
O
H
pyr H CF3 MeO H
H
H O
N
O H Me
N
H Me NH

(x) Make: N1–C7a, N3–C7b, N4–C2. Break: C2–N3, C7–Br. The first step is likely deprotonation and
alkylation of N3. This makes a σ bond between N3 and C7b, but we need to introduce a π bond. This
can be done by an elimination reaction. Deprotonation of C7 gives an enolate, which can be delocalized
onto N4 by resonance. Now, the N3–C2 bond can be broken, giving the electrons to N3 and forming an
isocyanate out of N1 and C2. These two steps constitute an E1cb elimination. Finally, attack of N4 on
C2 gives an amide anion, which can be alkylated again by the bromide to give the product. Note:
Cleavage of the N3–C2 bond at the same time as deprotonation of C7, as in a standard E2 elimination, is
possible, but this is unlikely: the lone pair that is put on C2 cannot be delocalized as it forms because the
orbital in which it resides is orthogonal to the C6=N1 π bond.

O O 7 CO2-t-Bu
1 7 8
6 N 2 O 8 6 1N
MeN 2 Br CO2-t-Bu MeN 2
5
O
5 NH 2 K2CO3
O N N O N N
3 4 8
Me 4 Me
3 N 7 CO2-t-Bu
O O H H
–
N O –
N O
MeN OCO2K MeN Br CO2-t-Bu
N N
O N N H O N N
Me Me
O O
N O– –
N O–
MeN OCO2K MeN
N H N CO2-t-Bu
O N N O N N
Me Me
H CO2-t-Bu H
 Chapter 2 29
O O H H
N C O
MeN N
MeN Br CO2-t-Bu
CO2-t-Bu O– product
N
O N N O N N
Me Me
H N CO2-t-Bu

Another way to draw the key N–C ring-cleaving step is as an electrocyclic ring opening.

O O O
–
N O OCO2K N O N C O
MeN MeN MeN etc.
N H N H N H
O N N O N N O N N
Me Me Me
H CO2-t-Bu CO2-t-Bu CO2-t-Bu

(y) Make: N3–C8, C4–C6. Break: N2–N3. Conditions are basic, and C6 is very electophilic, so first
step is likely deprotonation of C4 and addition of the enolate to C6. After protonation of N9, addition of
N3 to C8 can occur. Protonation of N9 is followed by loss of H+ and N2 by an E2 mechanism. Finally,
tautomerization by deprotonation and reprotonation gives the observed product.

1 H 9 Ar2 CN
N 2 O 8 N 6
N 6 7
N 4 2
7 C cat. pip. Ar1
+ Ar 5 9
3 5 Ar1 EtOH 3
8 NH2
4 N
H H CN H
O
N O N O H
N pip N N
N N 2
C
Ar1 Ar1 Ar
H H H CN
Ar2 H CN Ar2 H CN Ar2 H CN
H H H
H pip H pip
Ar1 C Ar1 C Ar1
N N N NH
N NH
O N2 O N2 O N2

Ar2 H CN Ar2 H CN Ar2 CN

pip
H
1
Ar1 pip Ar1
Ar product
N NH2 N NH2 N NH2
O O
O N2 H pip

(z) Make: none. Break: Cl–C1, C2–C3. i-PrO– is nucleophilic. There are two electrophilic sites in the
 Chapter 2 30
starting material, C1 and C3. Attack of i-PrO– at C1 doesn’t get us anywhere, since the product does not
have a C1–O bond, so the first step is probably addition of i-PrO– to the C3=O π bond. In the second
step, the O– electrons can move down to form the carbonyl bond again, breaking the C2–C3 bond. The
electrons in the C2–C3 bond are used to form a second C2=C1 π bond and to expel Cl–.

3
Ar 1 CO2CH3
i-PrONa 1 2
Ar CH3
2
Cl CH3
–
O O Ar CH3
OCH3
Ar OCH3 –
O-i-Pr Ar O
O-i-Pr
OCH3
Cl CH3 Cl CH3 i-Pr-O

(aa) The first transformation is a standard dibromocarbene addition to an alkene (Section D.4). The
strong base deprotonates the bromoform. α-Elimination gives the carbene, which undergoes cyclo-
addition to the alkene to give the product.

Me
Br Br Br Me
– Br
O-t-Bu
Br C H Br C Br C
Br
Br Br Me
Me

In the second transformation: Make: C5–C7. Break: C7–Br, C7–Br. Formation of a bond between C7
and the unactivated and remote C5 suggests a carbene reaction. Addition of MeLi to a dihalide can give
substitution, elimination, or halogen–metal exchange. Here elimination is not possible and substitution
does not occur, so that leaves halogen–metal exchange. (Dibromocyclopropanes are quite prone to
undergo halogen–metal exchange.) α-Elimination then occurs to give the carbene, which inserts into the
C5–H bond to give the product.

Me
2 Me
2
Br 1 7
3 1 7 CH3Li
3
4 6 Br 4 6 Me
5 Me 5

H
Me Me
Br CH3Li Li H
Me Me
Br Br
Me Me Me Me
H H
 Chapter 2 31
(bb) Make: C3–O1. Break: C3–O4, O1–C5. We are substituting O4 for O1 at C3, and this substitution is
occurring with retention of configuration, suggesting two sequential SN2 reactions. What is the role of
LiCl? Cl– is a pretty good nucleophile, especially in a polar aprotic solvent like DMF. The C3–O4 bond
can be cleaved by SN2 substitution with Cl–. After loss of CO2 from O1, O1 can come back and do a
second SN2 substitution at C3 to give the product.

Ph Ph
2 O1 2
1
LiCl, DMF
3
O 3
O
5 6
O4
Ph Ph
Ph Ph Ph Ph
O O O
Cl– O O O
O Cl O Cl
Ph Ph Ph Ph

(cc) This reaction is a Robinson annulation. The mechanism was discussed in the text.

(dd) The key to determining this reaction is, as usual, numbering the atoms correctly. Clearly some sort
of rearrangement is occurring, and some C–C bonds must break. Bonds between carbonyl C’s and α C’s
can break quite readily in 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds because the carbanion generated at the α C is stabi-
lized by another carbonyl group. Therefore, the C4–C5 or C5–C9 bond in the starting material might
break, but it is unlikely that the C3–C4 bond will break. Once you have C4 identified correctly, C5
through C9 should be clear, and that leaves little choice for C10 through C13. Note: If you started
numbering with C10–C13, you almost certainly would have become confused. Make: C4–C10, C6–C12,
C9–C13. Break: C4–C9, C12–C13.

O O O O
3 10 3 7
4 11 13 8
6 5 2 12 CH3 2 5 9 CH3
4 6
13
7 1 5 mol% NaOH 1 11
8 10
9 O 12 O

The first steps are the same as in the previous problem. C4 is deprotonated, it undergoes a Michael
addition to C10 (making C4–C10), proton transfer occurs from C13 to C11, and C13 adds to C9 (making
C9–C13). At this point, though, rather than an E1cb elimination, a fragmentation occurs, breaking C9–
C4. We still have to make C6–C12 and break C12–C13. Proton transfer from C6 to C4 occurs, and C6
adds to C12. Then a second fragmentation occurs, breaking C12–C13. Protonation of C13 gives the
product.
 Chapter 2 32
O O O O O
H
– 10 CH3 10
OH CH3
4 4
H H H OH
O O O
O O O O O
13 – 13
CH2 OH CH2 4
H
H H 9 9
O O O
O H
H
O HO– O O
H
4 6
H 6

O O 12 O
HO H O H O H O
H H
O O

product
13
12 O CH2 O H OH
O O

Why does this pathway occur instead of the Robinson annulation when the seemingly trivial change of
increasing the concentration of NaOH is made? Good question. It is not clear. It seems likely that the
Robinson annulation does occur first (because quick quenching helps to increase the quantity of Robinson
product), but the E1cb elimination at the end of the annulation mechanism is reversible in the presence of
NaOH as base. It seems likely, then, that if NaOEt were used as base instead, only the Robinson product
would be observed regardless of the quantity of catalyst.

(ee) Make: C1–C4, C4–C2, C2–O6. Break: C1–C2, C2–Cl, C4–N5. The acyl chloride is a potent elec-
trophile at C2. CH2N2 is nucleophilic at C4. Addition–elimination occurs, then deprotonation to give a
diazoketone. Deprotonation by Cl– is reasonable because the diazonium ion is a much stronger acid than it
appears at first sight. Heating this compound causes it to undergo a 1,2-shift to give a ketene, which is
trapped by BnOH to give the product. Under these neutral conditions, an awful zwitterionic intermediate
must be drawn. It’s better not to draw a four-center TS for the proton transfer step to convert the
zwitterion into product, so solvent is shown intervening.
 Chapter 2 33
3 6
4 5
O CH2N2 BnOH, ∆
1 2 1 4
A
2 6
Cl OBn
3
O
O– O
O Cl
H2C N N R R
N N N N
Cl H H –
H H Cl
O O O–
R ∆ O
R HO Bn R Bn
N N R O product
H A H H H H
H OR

(ff) This transformation is an example of the Mitsunobu reaction. The mechanism of the Mitsunobu
reaction was discussed in the text (Section F.2).

(gg) Numbering is again key. Identifying C10, C11, C12 in the product is easy. Using the information
that the first step is a Michael reaction, C6 must be attached to C10 in the product. From there the
numbering is straightforward. Make: C2–O9, C3–C12, C6–C10, C7–O13. Break: C2–C6, C7–O9,
C12–O13.

O 8 O
13
H3C O 13 OH OH
3 2 O1 11 5 6 7
12 4
4 H 10 9
9 H 10 3 10
OMe MeO MeO 2
5 6 DBU, MeOH 11 11
7
12 CH3 12 CH3
O8 O O1

Deprotonation of acidic C6 by DBU gives a carbanion, which undergoes a Michael reaction to C10. The
new carbanion at C10 can deprotonate C3 to give a new carbanion, and this can undergo an aldol reaction
to C12. Now our two new C–C bonds have been formed. We still have to break C2–C6 and two C–O
bonds. The alkoxide at O13 can deprotonate MeOH, which can then add to C2. Fragmentation of the C2–
C6 bond follows to give a C6 enolate. The C6 enolate then deprotonates O13, and intramolecular trans-
esterification occurs to form the O13–C7 bond and to break the C7–O9 bond. MeO– then comes back and
promotes E1 elimination across the C3–C12 bond to break the C12–O13 bond and give the product. The
intramolecular transesterification explains why C7 becomes an acid and C2 remains an ester in the product.
 Chapter 2 34

H H
O O O CH3 O
H3C O
DBU 3
H 6
6
OMe OMe H OMe
10
O O O
O O O–
H O O MeO O
O CH3 O MeO– 2 2

12 OMe OMe 6 OMe

OMe
MeO H O HO HO
O CH3 CH3 CH3
O O
O O O CH3
MeO
MeO H 7 MeO H
6 OMe O–
H OMe
H 13
–
H O OMe
H O O H 9
13 CH3 CH3

O CH3 O CH3
MeO H MeO H
3 O O
3
12
MeO– H H O O 13
H
O CH3 O CH3
MeO H MeO H
O workup O

O– OH
H H

3.

F– is a lousy leaving group. It leaves only under drastic conditions. These conditions are not strongly
basic. No reaction occurs.

In polar aprotic solvents, F– is a good nucleophile. Benzyl bromide is a good electrophile under all
conditions. The product is benzyl fluoride, PhCH2F.

I– is an excellent nucleophile, but –OH is such a lousy leaving group that alcohols are not electrophiles in
substitution reactions under basic conditions. No reaction occurs.
 Chapter 2 35
3° Alkyl halides normally undergo elimination reactions with hard (e.g., first-row) nucleophiles. If there
is a choice of conformers from which anti elimination can take place, the stabler product is usually
produced. The product is E-PhC(Me)=CHMe.

Thiolate anions RS– are excellent nucleophiles. The substrate, a 1° alkyl halide, is a good substrate for
nucleophilic substitutions under basic conditions. The product is PhSCH2CHMe2. Ethanol acts merely as
a solvent in this case. It is not nearly as nucleophilic as the thiolate, nor is it acidic enough to be
deprotonated by the thiolate, so it’s unlikely to react with the alkyl halide.

Secondary alkyl halides may undergo substitution or elimination under basic conditions, but with the
strong hindered base and lousy nucleophile LDA, elimination is certain to occur. The product is
CH3CH=CH2.

Normally, Me3COK or t-BuOK acts only as a base, giving elimination products from alkyl halides. In the
present case, though, the alkyl halide CH3Br cannot undergo elimination. Moreover, the extremely
unhindered CH3Br is an excellent substrate for nucleophilic substitutions. The product may be
Me3COMe, or no reaction may occur, depending on how strongly the reaction mixture is heated. t-Alkyl
ethers are better prepared by the acid-catalyzed addition of alcohol to alkenes (Chapter 3).

Cyclohexyl halides may undergo elimination or substitution reactions. They are usually more prone to
elimination, but the acetate anion MeCO2– is not particularly basic, and nucleophiles are particularly
nucleophilic in the polar aprotic solvent DMF. More cyclohexyl acetate (substitution) than cyclohexene
(elimination) is likely to form.

Thioethers are good nucleophiles, and CH3I is an excellent electrophile. The product is Me3S+ I–.

3° Alkyl halides normally undergo elimination with hard nucleophiles. Elimination usually occurs from the
conformer in which the leaving group and H are anti to one another. The product is Z-PhC(Me)=C(Me)Ph
by the E2 mechanism.

1° Tosylates are excellent electrophiles, and –CN is an excellent nucleophile, so substitution is likely to
occur. The configuration at the electrophilic C inverts with respect to the (S) starting material. The
product, (R)-EtCH(D)CN, is optically active.

The 1° alkyl halide is likely to undergo substitution given the pretty good nucleophile EtO–. The
configuration at the electrophilic C inverts with respect to the starting material, but the configuration at the
stereogenic C in the nucleophile remains unchanged. The product is meso, achiral, and optically inactive.
 Chapter 2 36
H3C H3C H3C CH3
O– Cl O
H H H H
D D D D

4. (a)

HO
O
O O rate-determining step
O
R1 N N R2
H H

O
O O
HO O
R1 N N R2
H H
O
O O
+
HO O
R1 N N R2
H H

(b) Antibodies to A bind strongly to it. Because the tetrahedral intermediate in the RDS of the reaction so
strongly resembles A, the anti-A antibodies bind strongly to it, too, lowering its energy. Because the
tetrahedral intermediate is higher in energy than the starting material, the TS leading to it resembles the
tetrahedral intermediate, and as a result the anti-A antibodies also lower the energy of the TS, increasing
the rate of the reaction.