Chapter 5, Problem 62P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Movement of electrons should be indicated using curved arrows for the given reaction.

Concept introduction:

Curved arrows show the bonds that are formed and the bonds that are broken in a reaction.

Curved arrows used to understand a reaction mechanism.

Curved arrows are drawn to show how the electrons move as new covalent bonds are formed existing covalent bonds are broken.

Each arrow represents the simultaneous movement of two electrons from a nucleophile towards an electrophile.

The tail of the arrow is positioned where the electrons are in the reactant; the tail always starts at a lone pair of electron or at a bond.

The head of the arrow points to where these same electrons end up in the product; the arrow always points at an atom or a bond.