Priority for assigning R/S

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

Shinpe

Full Member
10+ Year Member
Joined
May 22, 2009
Messages
341
Reaction score
0
So I guess I don't remember this right. Which is the higher priority between these two groups if u were assigning R/S?

(-C(Cl)(H)(CH3)) or (-COOH)????

So the question comes down to whether you add the atomic number for the groups attached to the C (-COOH higher) or do you look at the highest one (first one higher due to Cl)???
 
So I guess I don't remember this right. Which is the higher priority between these two groups if u were assigning R/S?

(-C(Cl)(H)(CH3)) or (-COOH)????

So the question comes down to whether you add the atomic number for the groups attached to the C (-COOH higher) or do you look at the highest one (first one higher due to Cl)???

No adding of atomic numbers. Just take them at face value. In this case, -CClH(CH3) has higher priority. -C-O < -C-OO < -C-OOO < -C-Cl
 
So I guess I don't remember this right. Which is the higher priority between these two groups if u were assigning R/S?

(-C(Cl)(H)(CH3)) or (-COOH)????

So the question comes down to whether you add the atomic number for the groups attached to the C (-COOH higher) or do you look at the highest one (first one higher due to Cl)???

I believe it's by weight of what's attached. Because -COOH has a double bond, you have to separate it

Code:
so -C=O becomes -CO-OC
    |            |
    OH           OH
So the C next to the chiral carbon is bonded 3 oxygens... total MW 48

The C in the 1-chloroethyl group is bonded to a C, an H and Cl, total MW = 48.45

So the 1-chloroethyl wins over the acid... ever so slightly

someone please confirm I did this right.
 
Your reasoning is incorrect. When assigning priority, you look at atomic numbers and find the first point of difference. Since a carbon has 3 bonds excluding the main-chain bond, you compare the three bonds in order of decreasing substituent priority.

In the case of a terminal alcohol vs an aldehyde, vs carboxyl groups,
an alcohol carbon has one O bond, 2 H bonds.
an aldehyde carbon has two O bonds, 2 H bonds.
One O on the alcohol and aldehyde are the same. However, the next bond comparison is another O on the aldehyde vs an H on the alcohol. The aldehyde group has higher priority.

The same goes for an aldehyde vs carboxyl (three O bonds). The aldehyde and carboxyl both have two O bonds, but the third is an O on the carboxyl vs H on the aldehyde. The carboxyl has higher priority.

In the case above, the difference is a carboxyl vs a chloromethyl group. The first point of difference is a Cl on the chloromethyl vs a O on the carboxyl. Cl > O, the chloromethyl group has higher priority. It is inconsequential that the chloromethyl has hydrogens remaining, or that there are two more effective O bonds on the carboxyl carbon. The first point of difference determines priority.
 
Your reasoning is incorrect. When assigning priority, you look at atomic numbers and find the first point of difference. Since a carbon has 3 bonds excluding the main-chain bond, you compare the three bonds in order of decreasing substituent priority.

In the case of a terminal alcohol vs an aldehyde, vs carboxyl groups,
an alcohol carbon has one O bond, 2 H bonds.
an aldehyde carbon has two O bonds, 2 H bonds.
One O on the alcohol and aldehyde are the same. However, the next bond comparison is another O on the aldehyde vs an H on the alcohol. The aldehyde group has higher priority.

The same goes for an aldehyde vs carboxyl (three O bonds). The aldehyde and carboxyl both have two O bonds, but the third is an O on the carboxyl vs H on the aldehyde. The carboxyl has higher priority.

In the case above, the difference is a carboxyl vs a chloromethyl group. The first point of difference is a Cl on the chloromethyl vs a O on the carboxyl. Cl > O, the chloromethyl group has higher priority. It is inconsequential that the chloromethyl has hydrogens remaining, or that there are two more effective O bonds on the carboxyl carbon. The first point of difference determines priority.


egggjactly👍👍👍
 
Top