Organic Chemistry 1 · Electron-flow fundamentals
Name the arrow pattern for ionization
Conditions: (CH3)3C–Br → (CH3)3C⁺ + Br⁻ in water
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Drag from the electrons that move to where they go, or tap one and then the other. Every arrow is checked; Hint helps when you're stuck. No account needed.
The question
One curved arrow goes from the C–Br bond to bromine, giving the tert-butyl cation and bromide. Which arrow-pushing pattern is this?
Reveal the answer and explanation
Answer and explanation
Correct answer Loss of a leaving group
Correct: a bond breaks and its electrons leave with Br.
Not this one Nucleophilic attack
Attack forms a new bond from a lone pair or π bond; here a bond only breaks.
Not this one Proton transfer
No hydrogen moves in this step.
Not this one Carbocation rearrangement
A rearrangement moves H or an alkyl group within a cation; this step creates the cation.
Worked solution
The arrow starts on a σ bond and ends on the more electronegative atom, which leaves with the pair: loss of a leaving group. No new bond forms, no proton moves and the skeleton does not change.
What you'll practice
Classify a mechanistic step as one of the four basic arrow-pushing patterns.
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