Organic Chemistry Problems
- Solvolysis of the norbornyl cation: Why is the norbornyl cation so stable? Is it symmetrical? If so, why? This problem has been largely settled for the unsubstituted norbornyl cation, but not for the substituted cation. See Non-classical ion.
- On water reactions: Why are some organic reactions accelerated at the water-organic interface?
- What is the origin of the bond rotation barrier in ethane, steric hindrance or hyperconjugation?
- What is the origin of the alpha effect? Nucleophiles with an electronegative atom and one or more lone pairs adjacent to the nucleophilic center are particularly reactive.
- Many mechanisms proposed for catalytic processes are poorly understood and often fail to explain all relevant phenomena.
Read more about this topic: List Of Unsolved Problems In Chemistry
Famous quotes containing the words organic, chemistry and/or problems:
“A special feature of the structure of our book is the monstrous but perfectly organic part that eavesdropping plays in it.”
—Vladimir Nabokov (1899–1977)
“The chemistry of dissatisfaction is as the chemistry of some marvelously potent tar. In it are the building stones of explosives, stimulants, poisons, opiates, perfumes and stenches.”
—Eric Hoffer (1902–1983)
“All problems are finally scientific problems.”
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950)