In: Chemistry
Carbenes are neutral species, which contain a carbon with six
valence electrons.
(i) Draw the hybrid structure of a singlet carbene. In your
drawing, identify the
HOMO and LUMO molecular orbitals.
(ii) Draw the reaction of a singlet carbene with an alkene, and
explain why this
occurs via a side-on approach. (In your answer, consider both the
HOMO and
LUMO of the alkene)