Organic Chemistry : Reaction Mechanisms, Energetics, and Kinematics
Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Organic Chemistry
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Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Other Reaction Mechanisms
Consider the generic reaction shown below.
What type of reaction is occurring here?
Addition
Substitution
Rearrangement
Elimination
Substitution
In this question, we're presented with a hypothetical reaction, and we're asked to identify which type of reaction is occurring. Let's go through each of the answer choices to see which one fits.
Addition reactions are ones in which two atoms or molecules come together. It takes the form of 
Elimination reactions are essentially the opposite of addition reactions. In this case, a molecule splits into two, taking the form of 
Rearrangement reactions are ones in which the reactant is manipulated in a way that gives product, but in the process, no additional reactants are consumed and no additional products are made. It takes the general form of 
Substitution reactions are ones in which there is some sort of exchange of atoms or functional groups between different reactants to give new products. In the reaction shown in the question stem, this qualifies as a substitution reaction.
Example Question #525 : Organic Chemistry
With what mechanism do catalysts speed up a reaction?
They raise the activation energy of the reaction.
They increase the 
They lower the activation energy of the reaction.
They lower the 
They lower the activation energy of the reaction.
Regarding chemical reactions, the activation energy is the minimum energy which must be available in a chemical system in order for reactants to participate in a chemical reaction. Catalysts speed up reactions by lowering this minimum energy. Raising it would have the opposite effect. Catalysts do not alter the 
Example Question #1 : Reaction Energetics And Kinetmatics
What kinetic equation describes the rate of an E1 process?
None of these
Most organic reactions are carried out in multiple steps. The rate equation can be derived from the process that occurs in the slowest step of the mechanism. An E1 reaction's slow step is when a leaving group separates from the hydrocarbon and a carbocation is formed. The only reactant in this step is one molar equivalent of the hydrocarbon. Thus, the rate equation only depends on that substance. The molar equivalent determines the exponent of each reactant in the equation.
Example Question #31 : Reaction Mechanisms, Energetics, And Kinematics
Generally, when compared to the rate of inorganic reactions, the rate of organic reactions is __________.
Faster, because organic compounds are ionic
Slower, because organic compounds are ionic
Faster, because organic compounds contain covalent compounds
Slower, because organic compounds contain covalent bonds
Slower, because organic compounds contain covalent bonds
By and large, organic compounds contain mainly covalent bonds. Covalent bonds are typically harder to break, which is why organic reactions happen at a relatively slower rate than inorganic reactions.
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