Chapter 3, Problem 5EQ

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The leaving group in the given molecule is to be determined in order identify the positively charged and neutral fragments produced during mechanism.

Concept Introduction:

Heterolytic cleavage of sigma bond occurs under a variety of conditions. The mechanism of bond cleavage is as shown below,

The arrow in the above mechanism indicates that the sigma electrons form A-B bond are leaving A and becoming the exclusive property of B. Since the fragment A is formally losing one electron, it must become positively charged and B must become negatively charged since it gains an electron.

Often, heterolytic cleavage occurs from a charged intermediate that was formed in a previous step. The process is the same, but the charge on the products is different.