Mechanistic aspects of Hydrocarbons

Mechanistic classification: Ionic, radical and pericyclic; heterolytic bond cleavage and heterogenic bond formation, homolytic bond cleavage and homogenic bond formation; representation of mechanistic steps using arrow formalism. Reactive intermediates: carbocations (carbenium and carbonium ions), carbanions, carbon radicals, carbenes, nitrenes – structure using orbital picture, electrophilic/nucleophilic behaviour, stability, generation and fate (elementary idea).

Chemistry of alkanes: Formation of alkanes , Wurtz reaction, Wurtz- Fittig reactions, Free radical substitutions : bond dissociation energies , halogenation - relative reactivity and selectivity.

Chemistry  of Cycloalkanes and Conformational Analysis: Types of cycloalkanes and their relative stability, Baeyer strain theory, Conformation analysis of alkanes: Relative stability: Energy diagrams of cyclohexane: Chair, Boat and Twist boat forms; Relative stability with energy diagrams

Formation of alkenes by elimination reactions, mechanism of E₁, E₂, E₁cB reactions(a brief idea). Saytzeff and Hoffmann eliminations. Reactions of alkenes: Electrophilic additions and their mechanisms (Markownikoff/Anti Markownikoff addition), mechanism of oxymercuration-demercuration, hydroboration-oxidation, ozonolysis, reduction (catalytic and chemical), syn and anti hydroxylation (oxidation) . Addition of singlet and triplet carbenes.

Structure and stability of conjugative and cumulative dienes, resonance and molecular orbital structure of allene and 1,3-butadiene; methods of preparation, addition of hydrogen halides to conjugated dienes – 1,4 v/s 1,2 addition (formation, structure and stability of allylic carbocation and free radicals). An elementary concept of orbital symmetry & it’s application to  Diels-Alder reaction. Allylic and benzylic bromination.

Formation and reactions of alkynes,structure & stability, acidity, electrophilic and  nucleophilic additions. Hydration to form carbonyl compounds, alkylation of terminal alkynes, reduction of alkynes –catalytic hydrogenation, dissolving metal reduction.