Organic Chemistry: Electrophilic Substitution

This lecture delves into the world of organic chemistry, focusing on the strategies and vocabulary needed for total synthesis of complex molecules. The instructor explains the concept of retro synthesis and the challenges faced by synthetic chemists. The lecture covers electrophilic substitution reactions on aromatic compounds, discussing regio-selectivity and the role of electrophiles. Various methods such as nitration, halogenation, sulfonation, and chlorosulfonation are explored, along with their applications in the synthesis of explosives, pharmaceuticals, and materials. The importance of selective reactions and the use of deuterium as a tool for mechanistic investigations are also highlighted.