Carcinogenic Hydrocarbons Essay Example for Free

Carcinogenic Hydrocarbons judgeOnce in the body, they are converted into arene oxides by cytochrome P. An arene oxide is a compound in which one of the twice bonds of the aromatic ring has been converted into an epoxide. The changing of the aromatic hydrocarbon into an epoxide forms a more water-soluble compound that sess be eliminated from the body. Arene oxides can respond in twain ways. They can undergo attack by a nucleophile to form addition products or rearrange to form a phenol. Some aromatic hydrocarbons are carcinogens, heart and soul they can cause cancer.Investigations hand shown that hydrocarbons themselves are not carcinogenic, but the carcinogens are the oxidation products of the aromatic molecules. Nucleophiles react with epoxides to form addition products. 2-Deoxyguanosine, a component of DNA, has a nucleophilic NH? group that is known to react with current arene oxides. Once it attaches to an arene oxide, the 2-deoxyguanosine can no longer fit into the DN A. This results in the genetic code not being properly transcribed, which can lead to mutations that cause cancer.Arene oxides becoming carcinogenic depends on the assesss of its two reaction passs rearrangement and reaction with a nucleophile. When an arene oxide rearranges, it forms phenols which are not carcinogenic. However, the formation of two addition products from nucleophilic attack by DNA can be carcinogenic. If the rate of arene oxide rearrangement is faster the nucleophilic attack by DNA, the arene oxide is harmless. If the rates are the opposite way around the arene oxide is likely to be carcinogenic.The rate of arene oxide rearrangement depends on the stability of the carbocation formed in the rate determining step. So, an arene oxides cancer causing ability depends on the stability of the carbocation. If the carbocation is stable, the rate will be faster and therefore the arene oxide is less likely to be carcinogenic. If the carbocation is unstable, the rate will b e relatively boring and the arene oxide will more likely be attacked by nucleophiles. This leads to the possibility of carcinogens.After reading thoroughly by dint of the Organic Chemistry 5th Edition book by Paula Bruice, I must agree with the investigations that have proven aromatic hydrocarbons to be non-carcinogenic. It is kind of interesting that arene oxides become carcinogenic depending on the reaction pathway it takes. I would like to know what other, if any, factors may contribute to carcinogens being formed once aromatic hydrocarbons fancy the body