Hydrogen Abstraction

Definition

Hydrogen abstraction is a fundamental reaction in organic chemistry where a hydrogen atom is removed from a molecule, often by a reactive species such as a radical or a base. This process is central to various topics in organic chemistry, including radical reactions, biological additions of radicals to alkenes, and the preparation of alkyl halides from alkanes and alkenes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hydrogen abstraction is a key step in radical chain reactions, where a radical species removes a hydrogen atom from a molecule to propagate the chain.
2. In biological systems, hydrogen abstraction by radicals can lead to the addition of those radicals to alkenes, forming new carbon-centered radicals.
3. Radical halogenation of alkanes, such as chlorination or bromination, involves the initial hydrogen abstraction step to generate alkyl radicals.
4. Allylic bromination of alkenes, a method for preparing alkyl halides, also relies on the hydrogen abstraction of an allylic hydrogen by a bromine radical.
5. The stability of the resulting radical intermediate plays a crucial role in determining the outcome of hydrogen abstraction reactions.

Review Questions

• Explain the role of hydrogen abstraction in radical chain reactions.
  • In radical chain reactions, hydrogen abstraction is a key propagation step. A reactive radical species removes a hydrogen atom from a molecule, generating a new radical that can then go on to react with other molecules, continuing the chain. This process allows the reaction to self-propagate and is central to the mechanism of many radical reactions, such as the halogenation of alkanes.
• Describe how hydrogen abstraction is involved in the biological addition of radicals to alkenes.
  • In biological systems, reactive radical species can abstract hydrogen atoms from molecules, creating new carbon-centered radicals. These carbon-centered radicals can then add to alkenes, forming new radical intermediates. This process is important in various biological transformations, as it allows for the incorporation of radicals into organic molecules and the subsequent formation of new carbon-carbon bonds.
• Analyze the role of hydrogen abstraction in the preparation of alkyl halides from alkanes and alkenes.
  • The preparation of alkyl halides, such as through radical halogenation of alkanes or allylic bromination of alkenes, relies on the initial hydrogen abstraction step. In these reactions, a reactive halogen radical (e.g., Cl•, Br•) abstracts a hydrogen atom from the alkane or the allylic position of the alkene, generating a new alkyl radical intermediate. This alkyl radical can then undergo further reactions, ultimately leading to the formation of the desired alkyl halide product. The stability of the resulting radical intermediate is a key factor in determining the outcome of these hydrogen abstraction reactions.

Related terms

Radical: A highly reactive species that contains an unpaired electron, often involved in chain reactions.

Homolytic Cleavage: The breaking of a covalent bond in a way that each atom retains one of the bonding electrons, resulting in the formation of two radicals.

Radical Substitution: A reaction where a radical replaces a hydrogen atom in a molecule, often used in the preparation of alkyl halides from alkanes.