Woodward cis-Hydroxylation Reaction

Chemistry, Medicine
Silver acetate, in combination with iodine, forms the initial reactant package for the Woodward reaction. This reaction, carried to completion, selectively converts an alkene into a cis-diol. The prefix cis- refers to the addition of two atoms (or groups of atoms) to the same side of a molecular double bond. Trans-, when used, refers to addition across the double bond – of one atom or group to one side, one to the other side. The Mechanism The mechanism is illustrated in the image (below) up to the point of hydrolysis. The product of that hydrolysis is pictured in the introductory image. We see, first, the iodine splits, the I atom adding to the double bond. In the next part of the reaction, the silver atom attaches to the iodine, and…
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Alkene Isomers and Nomenclature: 1,3,5-Hexatriene

Chemistry
Many moons ago, chemistry was divided into two large groups, organic chemistry and inorganic chemistry. Organic chemistry was thought to be the 'chemistry of life'. This was because a mysterious "vital force" associated with life was thought essential to produce organic compounds. Most organic compounds consist of carbon and hydrogen atoms, with or without nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorous, or other atoms. We will discuss a simple hydrocarbon. A hydrocarbon consists solely of carbon and hydrogen. Hydrocarbon Bonds Carbon and hydrogen usually bonds in one of three ways: single bonds (-), double bonds (=), and triple bonds (≡). In this article, we will feature only single and double carbon-to-carbon bonds... two single and three double. The compound is 1,3,5-hexatriene. Notice the featured image (above) that illustrates the most common way it is…
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Is Lard Public Enemy No. 1? Not in Your Sweet Life

Food, Health
[caption id="attachment_23419" align="alignright" width="369"] Copyright © 2014-2015 Renderings Natural Fats, LLC. All rights reserved.[/caption] I am 70. During just my lifetime, there have been many changes in viewpoint as to what it is healthful to eat. Among the changes were controversies concerning Butter Chocolate Eggs Organ meats Lard The first three foods have regained acceptance, at least to a degree. The fourth item, organ meats, includes livers, kidneys, sweet breads, and hearts. As a result, how many of us today include kidneys or 'sweet breads' in our menu? Once removed from the dinner table, children are not exposed to such foods, so they are reluctant to try them later. But What About Lard? Just as butter was largely replaced by a manufactured product, margarine, lard was replaced by products such…
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What is Hydrogenation? How Does It Affect Vegetable Oils?

Food, Health
Hydrogenation is simply the addition of one or more molecules of hydrogen to a compound. When we speak of hydrogenation, we usually refer to the saturation (adding of hydrogen) of carbon-carbon double bonds to produce single bonds. Saturation / Unsaturation Organic compounds, most of the compounds containing carbon and hydrogen, can be saturated or unsaturated. In saturated compounds, all carbon atoms that are bonded to other carbon atoms are singly bonded, whereas in unsaturated compounds, some of these are double or even triple bonds. See the illustration for examples. But Why Hydrogenation? Whatever the actual motive(s) involved, the medical and commercial worlds decided butter should be replaced by a manmade product, initially called oleomargarine, and later margarine. In order to be "healthy" we are told it should be prepared from…
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Olive Oil and Peanut Oil Fat Composition and Percentages

Food, Health
[caption id="attachment_15332" align="alignright" width="480"] Peanuts fresh from the ground.[/caption] Two of the fats among the most recommended by health buffs are peanut oil and olive oil. Let’s check ‘em out to see what the chemistry is for each of these oils, what their reputed health benefits are, and how they perform in their cooking assignment. Yes, let’s compare individual substances found within peanut oil and olive oil. Peanut Oil Components There are three major components of peanut oil – triglycerides of oleic, linoleic, and palmitic acids. A triglyceride is the combining of three fatty acid molecules with one molecule of glycerin. Approximate percentages are: 48% Monounsaturated [Oleic Acid] 34% Polyunsaturated [Linoleic Acid] 18% Saturated [Palmitic Acid] Oleic acid is an unsaturated, 9-omega, cis-fatty acid. Linoleic acid is an unsaturated 6-omega,…
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Explaining Saturation and Unsaturation

Chemistry
What is Saturation? What is Unsaturation? Even those scientifically uninclined use the words. Saturation, unsaturation, and polyunsaturation are dietary terms closely associated with health. Most know they are also chemical terms. But they don't understand what they mean. This is a shame, since "saturation" can be easily understood by any bright student. Saturated Hydrocarbon Linkage Living matter (plant or animal) is made of of organic compounds. These include (but are not limited to) fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. All these substances contain a kind of backbone or chain, of atoms of carbon (C) bonded to atoms of hydrogen (H). Each carbon is capable of bonding with four hydrogens. [sc name="MidArticleAdsense"] For purposes of illustration, we'll assume we have before us a chain of four carbon atoms, with every available bond possibility…
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