What do the arrows in mechanisms represent?

The arrows represent the movement of a lone pair of electrons. For example, if a mechanism involves an oxygen atom forming a bond with a proton (hydrogen ion), then the oxygen would ‘donate’ a lone pair to the hydrogen ion and hence form an Oxyegn-Hydrogen bond.As electrons are negative, they are attracted to positives, and so the general rule of thumb is that the arrow starts at the negative and ends at the positive. Using our example above, oxygen is highly electronegative and so will have a strong delta - charge, and the hydrogen ion has a +1 charge, so the arrow starts at the oxygen (most negative) and ends at the hydrogen (most positive).

TK
Answered by Tarek K. Chemistry tutor

2294 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Deduce the main organic product for the reaction of benzene with nitric acid in the prescence of sulfuric acid, and provide a complete mechanism for this reaction. (5 marks)


Why can graphite be used as a lubricant?


What is an optical isomer?


In the reaction (SO₂ + 2H₂S → 3S + 2H₂O), 44.3g of SO₂ are mixed with 44.3g of H₂S. Calculate the maximum mass of sulfur that could be formed.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences