5. Using pictures and words, explain why triflate, CF3SO3, is such a good leaving group.

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### Question 5: Why is Triflate (CF₃SO₃⁻) Such a Good Leaving Group?

To understand why triflate (CF₃SO₃⁻) is such a good leaving group, we need to examine both its molecular structure and the principles that make a leaving group effective.

#### Molecular Structure of Triflate

Triflate (CF₃SO₃⁻) consists of three main components:
1. **A trifluoromethyl group (CF₃)**
2. **A central sulfur atom (S)**
3. **Three oxygen atoms (O)**

#### Resonance and Stabilization

One of the primary reasons triflate is an excellent leaving group is the ability of the negative charge to be delocalized over multiple atoms through resonance:

1. **Resonance Structures**: The negative charge on the terminal oxygen can be delocalized onto the sulfur and the other two oxygen atoms. This resonance stabilization distributes the negative charge across multiple atoms rather than confining it to one, making the triflate ion more stable.

2. **Electronegativity**: The presence of the electronegative fluorine atoms in the trifluoromethyl group (CF₃) pulls electron density away from the sulfur-oxygen bond, further stabilizing the negative charge on the leaving group by induction.

#### Visual Representation

Here is a schematic representation to help visualize the concept:

1. **Original molecule with triflate leaving group**
   ```
   R-O-SO₂-CF₃ →
   ```
   When the bond breaks, the triflate ion leaves:
   ```
   R-OH + CF₃SO₃⁻
   ```

2. **Resonance Structures of Triflate**
   ```
   CF₃S(=O)₂O⁻ ↔ CF₃S⁺(=O)O⁻₂ ↔ CF₃SO₂(O)⁻
   ```

#### Conclusion

The exceptional leaving group ability of triflate can be attributed to the following:
- **Resonance stabilization**: Delocalization of the negative charge over several atoms.
- **Inductive effect**: Electron-withdrawing properties of the trifluoromethyl group (CF₃), increasing overall stability.

By understanding both the structural and electronic aspects of triflate, its efficiency as a leaving group becomes apparent, making it a favored
Transcribed Image Text:### Question 5: Why is Triflate (CF₃SO₃⁻) Such a Good Leaving Group? To understand why triflate (CF₃SO₃⁻) is such a good leaving group, we need to examine both its molecular structure and the principles that make a leaving group effective. #### Molecular Structure of Triflate Triflate (CF₃SO₃⁻) consists of three main components: 1. **A trifluoromethyl group (CF₃)** 2. **A central sulfur atom (S)** 3. **Three oxygen atoms (O)** #### Resonance and Stabilization One of the primary reasons triflate is an excellent leaving group is the ability of the negative charge to be delocalized over multiple atoms through resonance: 1. **Resonance Structures**: The negative charge on the terminal oxygen can be delocalized onto the sulfur and the other two oxygen atoms. This resonance stabilization distributes the negative charge across multiple atoms rather than confining it to one, making the triflate ion more stable. 2. **Electronegativity**: The presence of the electronegative fluorine atoms in the trifluoromethyl group (CF₃) pulls electron density away from the sulfur-oxygen bond, further stabilizing the negative charge on the leaving group by induction. #### Visual Representation Here is a schematic representation to help visualize the concept: 1. **Original molecule with triflate leaving group** ``` R-O-SO₂-CF₃ → ``` When the bond breaks, the triflate ion leaves: ``` R-OH + CF₃SO₃⁻ ``` 2. **Resonance Structures of Triflate** ``` CF₃S(=O)₂O⁻ ↔ CF₃S⁺(=O)O⁻₂ ↔ CF₃SO₂(O)⁻ ``` #### Conclusion The exceptional leaving group ability of triflate can be attributed to the following: - **Resonance stabilization**: Delocalization of the negative charge over several atoms. - **Inductive effect**: Electron-withdrawing properties of the trifluoromethyl group (CF₃), increasing overall stability. By understanding both the structural and electronic aspects of triflate, its efficiency as a leaving group becomes apparent, making it a favored
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