Importance of Reaction Mechanisms

Learning Goals

A detailed discussion of mechanism is only expected for some transformations in CHEM 312

In general, for all reactions discussed, students should be able to:

• Describe the changes in chemical structure in a given reaction
  • Identify starting materials, reagents, or products in a reaction scheme
• Predict the major product for some reactions where regioselectivity is determined by carbocation stability
• Use sequential transformations to propose a synthesis of small organic molecules

If a mechanism is discussed in CHEM 312, then students should be able to:

• Use the curved-arrow notation to accurately describe changes in bonding throughout a mechanism
• Accurately represent the intermediates of the chemical process
• Apply discussions of stability (Acids/Bases, carbocation stability) to the regioselectivity to specific steps in the mechanism