A reaction can take place and a new bond is formed when an electron rich species attacks an electron poor species. With this in mind, explain the following molecular orbital energy diagram. The "n" orbital refers to the nonbonding electrons on oxygen (electron rich), which is slightly higher in energy than the bonding electrons in the C=0 bond. Apply what you know, and think a little outside of the box.

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A reaction can take place and a new bond is formed when an electron rich species attacks an electron poor species. With this in mind, explain the following molecular orbital energy diagram. The "n" orbital refers to the nonbonding electrons on oxygen (electron rich), which is slightly higher in energy than the bonding electrons in the C=0 bond. Apply what you know, and think a little outside of the box.
The image presents a molecular orbital diagram describing the interaction between molecular orbitals in a nucleophilic addition reaction to a carbonyl compound. 

### Explanation of the Diagram:

1. **Molecular Orbitals**:
   - The left side of the diagram shows the orbitals for the starting reactants: a nucleophile (RO⁻) and a carbonyl compound (C=O). 
   - The nucleophile RO⁻ is depicted with orbitals, denoted as "n" for nonbonding electrons.
   - The carbonyl compound C=O is depicted with π and π* orbitals representing the bonding and antibonding orbitals, respectively.

2. **Interaction**:
   - Arrows indicate the flow of electrons between orbitals. 
   - The nonbonding electron pair (n) from the nucleophile attacks the π* antibonding orbital of the carbonyl compound. This is shown with a curved arrow.

3. **Transition State**:
   - In the center, there is a transition state where new bonds begin forming, shown by dashed lines and the electrons reorganizing.

4. **Product Formation**:
   - On the right side, the diagram shows the orbitals of the product where the nucleophile has been added to the carbon, breaking the π bond and forming a new σ bond.
   - The reaction results in an alkoxide ion intermediate (R-O-C⁻-O).

### Significance:
This diagram is used to illustrate how nucleophilic addition to carbonyls occurs at a molecular level, providing a clear visualization of electron movement and molecular interaction during the reaction.
Transcribed Image Text:The image presents a molecular orbital diagram describing the interaction between molecular orbitals in a nucleophilic addition reaction to a carbonyl compound. ### Explanation of the Diagram: 1. **Molecular Orbitals**: - The left side of the diagram shows the orbitals for the starting reactants: a nucleophile (RO⁻) and a carbonyl compound (C=O). - The nucleophile RO⁻ is depicted with orbitals, denoted as "n" for nonbonding electrons. - The carbonyl compound C=O is depicted with π and π* orbitals representing the bonding and antibonding orbitals, respectively. 2. **Interaction**: - Arrows indicate the flow of electrons between orbitals. - The nonbonding electron pair (n) from the nucleophile attacks the π* antibonding orbital of the carbonyl compound. This is shown with a curved arrow. 3. **Transition State**: - In the center, there is a transition state where new bonds begin forming, shown by dashed lines and the electrons reorganizing. 4. **Product Formation**: - On the right side, the diagram shows the orbitals of the product where the nucleophile has been added to the carbon, breaking the π bond and forming a new σ bond. - The reaction results in an alkoxide ion intermediate (R-O-C⁻-O). ### Significance: This diagram is used to illustrate how nucleophilic addition to carbonyls occurs at a molecular level, providing a clear visualization of electron movement and molecular interaction during the reaction.
Expert Solution
Step 1

In the given molecular orbital diagram, RO- is the electron rich species acting as nucleophile and R2C=O is the electron poor species acting as the electrophile.

During the attack of a nucleophile to the electrophile, there is nteraction of HOMO of nucleophile with the LUMO of electrophile.

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