Some questions regarding orgo conventions and nomenclature

[thechairman]

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1. A R group is a generic substituent for any alkyl group that is larger than a methyl group, correct?

2. What is the difference between a vinyl modifier and an allylic modifier?

3. What function does the "mesyl" group play? It's a sulfure bonded to two oxygens, doubly bonded, as well as another methyl grouop.

 

[eltor07]

1) R refers to any alkyl group. I'm guessing CH3 would count as well, it's just in general

2) I have no idea

3) Mesyl plays as a protecting group of a functional group such as -OH so you can make another reaction with another functional group and it won't react with the -OH group.

 

[thechairman]

thanks! i have otherr questions...

1. are amides groups electron withdrawing, or donating?

 

[detvar]

do we even need to know this stuff to this detail?

 

[thechairman]

for the mesyl group, probably not, as tosylates are much more widely known, and used as protecting than mesyl groups. i only asked because it was on a list of things to memorize on the EK books

 

[eltor07]

Amides... since both Nitrogen and Oxygen are electronegative, I would guess they would be electron withdrawing only if there is a CH2 group attached to say a benzene ring like C6H6CH2NHCOCH3 lets say.

That's really a tough one. I don't think you're going to need to know that.