Explain why alkyl groups act as electron donors when attached to a π system.
Explain why alkyl groups act as electron donors when attached to a π system.
When an alkyl group is attached to a π system, it acts as an electron-donor group by the process of hyperconjugation. To understand this concept better, let us take the example of propene.
In hyperconjugation, the sigma electrons of the C-H bond of an alkyl group are delocalised This group is directly attached to an atom of an unsaturated system. The delocalisation occurs because of a partial overlap of a sp3 -2 sigma bond orbital with an empty p orbital of the n bond of an adjacent carbon atom.
The process of hyperconjugation in propene is shown as follows:
This type of overlap leads to a delocalisation (also known as no-bond resonance) of the π electrons, making the molecule more stable.
When an alkyl group is attached to a π system, it acts as an electron-donor group by the process of hyperconjugation. To understand this concept better, let us take the example of propene.
In hyperconjugation, the sigma electrons of the C-H bond of an alkyl group are delocalised This group is directly attached to an atom of an unsaturated system. The delocalisation occurs because of a partial overlap of a sp3 -2 sigma bond orbital with an empty p orbital of the n bond of an adjacent carbon atom.
The process of hyperconjugation in propene is shown as follows:
This type of overlap leads to a delocalisation (also known as no-bond resonance) of the π electrons, making the molecule more stable.
