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🥼organic chemistry review

Addition-Elimination Sequence

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

The addition-elimination sequence is a mechanistic pathway that describes the reaction of a nucleophile with an acyl compound, such as an acid chloride or ester, to form a new acyl compound. This sequence involves the initial addition of the nucleophile to the carbonyl carbon, followed by the elimination of a leaving group, resulting in the formation of a new acyl compound.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. The addition-elimination sequence is the mechanism by which nucleophilic acyl substitution reactions proceed, where a nucleophile replaces a leaving group on an acyl compound.
  2. The first step in the addition-elimination sequence is the nucleophilic addition of the incoming nucleophile to the carbonyl carbon, forming a tetrahedral intermediate.
  3. In the second step, the leaving group is eliminated, restoring the carbonyl carbon and forming the new acyl compound.
  4. The identity of the leaving group (e.g., chloride, alkoxide) determines the specific type of acyl substitution reaction (e.g., acid chloride, ester).
  5. The addition-elimination sequence is a common mechanism for various important organic reactions, such as the conversion of acid chlorides to esters or amides.

Review Questions

  • Describe the two main steps of the addition-elimination sequence and explain how they relate to nucleophilic acyl substitution reactions.
    • The addition-elimination sequence consists of two key steps. First, the nucleophile adds to the carbonyl carbon of the acyl compound, forming a tetrahedral intermediate. This addition step is the key feature of nucleophilic acyl substitution reactions, where a nucleophile replaces an existing group on the acyl compound. In the second step, the leaving group is eliminated, restoring the carbonyl group and producing the new acyl compound. The identity of the leaving group (e.g., chloride, alkoxide) determines the specific type of acyl substitution reaction, such as the conversion of an acid chloride to an ester or amide.
  • Explain how the addition-elimination sequence is used to convert an acid chloride to an ester, and identify the key factors that influence the reaction outcome.
    • In the conversion of an acid chloride to an ester via the addition-elimination sequence, the first step involves the nucleophilic addition of an alcohol (the nucleophile) to the carbonyl carbon of the acid chloride, forming a tetrahedral intermediate. This intermediate then undergoes the elimination step, where the chloride leaving group is removed, and the new ester product is formed. The identity of the alcohol nucleophile and the specific reaction conditions, such as temperature and solvent, can influence the efficiency and selectivity of this transformation. Additionally, the presence of a base may be required to facilitate the elimination of the chloride leaving group.
  • Evaluate the role of the addition-elimination sequence in the broader context of organic synthesis and discuss its importance in the preparation of various acyl compounds.
    • The addition-elimination sequence is a fundamental mechanism in organic chemistry that underpins the synthesis of a wide range of acyl compounds, including esters, amides, and anhydrides. This sequence allows for the efficient conversion of one acyl compound (e.g., an acid chloride) into another (e.g., an ester) by replacing the leaving group with a new nucleophile. The versatility of this mechanism makes it a valuable tool in organic synthesis, enabling the preparation of diverse acyl compounds that are essential building blocks for more complex molecules. Understanding the addition-elimination sequence and its application in nucleophilic acyl substitution reactions is crucial for designing efficient synthetic routes and expanding the repertoire of organic transformations available to chemists.