Activating/Deactivating

[plsfoldthx]

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So I know what these terms mean in benzene substitution, but do they still mean the same thing i.e. electron donating (activating)/electron withdrawing (deactivating) for other reactions?

For example, there's a Q bank question.. about the interaction of cyclopentanone with hydrogen peroxide when treated with Sn, zeolite, and catalyst, it inserts a oxygen in between the alpha carbon and the carbonyl of the cyclo ketone.

The question asks what purpose does the Tin serve in the reaction. The answer choices are all combinations of Sn acts as a Lewis Acid/Base and it Activates/Deactivates the carbonyl carbon.

Thanks.

 

[addo]

I think in the reaction the tin acts as a lewis acid, accepting electrons from the carbonyl oxygen, thereby activating the carbonyl. In this case the tin seems to withdraw electrons, which creates a partial positive charge on the carbonyl.
I dont think activating/deactivating is used in the same context here.

 

[plsfoldthx]

I think in the reaction the tin acts as a lewis acid, accepting electrons from the carbonyl oxygen, thereby activating the carbonyl. In this case the tin seems to withdraw electrons, which creates a partial positive charge on the carbonyl.
I dont think activating/deactivating is used in the same context here.

Thanks, that was the answer. In this situation, is the term "activating" being used as any chemical term or does it just mean "allows the reaction to proceed"?

 

[addo]

Activating refers to the fact that the partial positive charge on the carbonyl allows for a nucleophilic attack and therefore the reaction to proceed.

 

[loveoforganic]

Activating/deactivating are terms specific to a reaction. I.e. an electron donating group on a benzene ring would be activating toward nucleophic aromatic subsitution, but would be deactivating toward electrophilic.