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Synthesis of saturated rings via cyclisation

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Total cards: 16•Content version: v4•Public deck•Updated: 8/1/2026

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#1
Front (Question)

What is an irreversible cyclisation?

Back (Answer)

Formation for a ring from a linear system which then cannot return to its linear state it is a general route to small and normal rings (3-7 MRs)

#2
Front (Question)

What is then general mechanism of an irreversible cyclisation (in this case the EWG is a carbonyl)

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Back (Answer)

• React with a base to deprotonate forming enolate • Then intramolecular sₙ² reaction • n = 1-5

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#3
Front (Question)

Where does the base deprotonate during an irreversible cyclisation

Back (Answer)

On the carbon adjacent to the EWG OR sometimes on the EWG, e.g. OH

#4
Front (Question)

How can you undertake an irreversible cyclisation with a heteroatom as the Nucleophile e.g. OH

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Back (Answer)

• Use a base to deprotonate • Intramolecular sₙ² • (in theory for amines a base isn’t needed)

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#5
Front (Question)

How can you undertaken an irreversible cyclisation where the electron withdrawing group is SO₂Ph

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Back (Answer)

• nBuLi is used to deprotonate • The sulfur anion formed as an intermediate is very electron poor • Anion is used to attack δ⁺ carbon, breaking the C-Br bond

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#6
Front (Question)

What makes an irreversible cyclisation, irreversible?

Back (Answer)

• Due to the formation of the ring • Reforming the C-Br is unfavourable

#7
Front (Question)

protons α to carbonyls are….

Back (Answer)

….acidic

#8
Front (Question)

The following reaction is an irreversible cyclisation producing a carboxylic acid What is the mechanism for this?

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Back (Answer)

• EtO⁻ will deprotonate in the α-position • Formation of new C-C bond through breaking C-Br bond • EtO⁻ will deprotonate again in the α-position • Second new C-C bond is formed through breaking the second C-Br bond • Basic hydrolysis using NaOH • Use HCl to protonate forming dicarboxcylic acid • Use heat to deprotonate • Forms the tautomer

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#9
Front (Question)

Why does attack on the electrophilic centre which is Sₙ²-like, lead to an inversion

Back (Answer)

• The Nu attacks the sigma (start) of the carbon • this is due to Nu being anti-periplanar to LG • leads to an inversion of spectrochemistry1

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#10
Front (Question)

Where within the plane must the following groups lie to the nucleophile to reach to C-Br sigma (star’) orbtial for ring closure (i.e. forming an epoxide)

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Back (Answer)

• Both groups must be antiperiplanar • meaning they are both axial • (on the right)

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#11
Front (Question)

The rate of irreversible cyclisation changes dependent on ring size which ring size is the fastest? Why?

Back (Answer)

• 5> 6> 3> 7» 4> 8-10 (slowest) • The entropic cost of ring closure increases with ring size because more order must be imposed for the ends of the chain to be arranged correctly • BUT enthalpic cost of ring closure decreases with ring size because normal rings are less strained than small rings

#12
Front (Question)

Why can the following compound not undergo reverse cyclisation?

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Back (Answer)

Because the Nu (OH) and the LG (Br) are not antiperiplanar to another

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#13
Front (Question)

Describe the selectivity for the following compound if it was to undergo an irreversible cyclisation?

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Back (Answer)

• A 5 membered ring would form over the other possible 4 membered ring because of a decreased enthalpic cost due to less ring strain

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#14
Front (Question)

Define a reversible cyclisation

Back (Answer)

Reversibile cyclisation of molecules that contain both an electrophile and a nucleophile can only be used to form normal rings (5-7 MRs) Have the ability to revert back to a linear system

#15
Front (Question)

• The first part of this reaction involves a reversible cyclisation • However, the second part (dehydration) is irreversible • Describe the mechanism

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Back (Answer)

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#16
Front (Question)

Why are reversible cylicisations only effects for 5-7 MRs

Back (Answer)

Because if the ring was any smaller, the ring strain will mean the ring will immediatel revert back to the linear form