I am struggling to with unseen organic chemistry mechanism. I don’t know where to begin drawing them.

The purpose of a mechanism in organic chemistry is to show the movement of electron density leading to the reaction. Keeping this in mind, when faced with the starting materials, the first thing to identify is to find the most electrophilic and nucleophilic groups in each molecule. The electron density will always move from the strongest nucleophile to the strongest electrophile.

First take a look at the molecule. Are there any negative charges? If so that’s the starting point in most cases, if not, have a look for lone pairs and lastly - double bonds. These are nucleophilic species and good initial starting points; the more electron density is in one point the better the nucleophile. With electrophiles it’s opposite – best electrophile will have the lowest amount of electron density at one point e.g. a carbon adjacent to an electron withdrawing group or near a positive charge. However, be aware that you can’t for 5-valent carbons, so if you form a bond to a carbon then you must break one as well.

DS
Answered by Darius S. Chemistry tutor

2546 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

which element has a lower first ionisation energy, Magnesium or Aluminium?


What key factors would you use to analyse a high resolution proton NMR spectrum


Explain why the second ionisation energy of boron is higher than the first ionisation energy of boron?


How to answer the question: How does a bicarbonate buffer solution control pH when either an acid or a base is added?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning