Question

Adrenaline is synthesized when a compound called noradrenaline reacts with S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM). Like all SN2 reactions, this converstion involves a nucelophile, an electrophile, and a leaving group. Identify the three components of the ?SN2 reaction in the correct order (nucelophile, electrophile, and leaving group).

Answer 1

In the SN2 reaction for adrenaline synthesis, the methyl group from S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM) is the nucleophile, the noradrenaline molecule is the electrophile, and the adenosyl portion of SAM is the leaving group.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the synthesis of adrenaline from noradrenaline (also known as norepinephrine), the conversion is an example of an SN2 reaction, which is a type of nucleophilic substitution. During this reaction, noradrenaline acts as the substrate and S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM) provides a methyl group. To identify the parts of an SN2 reaction, we must establish the nucleophile, electrophile, and leaving group involved.

The nucleophile in this reaction is the methyl group derived from SAM, which attacks the electrophilic carbon in noradrenaline. The electrophile is the carbon atom within noradrenaline that carries a partial positive charge. Lastly, the leaving group is the adenosyl portion of SAM, which departs after donating the methyl group.

In summary, the components of the SN2 reaction to synthesize adrenaline are as follows:

• Nucleophile: Methyl group from SAM
• Electrophile: Noradrenaline molecule
• Leaving group: Adenosyl portion of SAM