Question detail

What is the main driving force for the reaction of acyl chlorides with nucleophiles?

Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.

At a glance

MCQ

Type

practice

Style

Topic

Carboxylic acids and derivatives (A-level only)

Question

  1. A. Release of HCl
  2. B. Formation of a stable product
  3. C. Increase in entropy
  4. D. Formation of a cyclic intermediate

Answer

Release of HCl

Explanation

The correct option is Release of HCl. Release of HCl is the best answer because it directly supports the AQA A-Level Chemistry objective to explain reactions of acyl chlorides and acid anhydrides. This reasoning is anchored to Carboxylic acids, esters and acyl derivatives (A-level only) in Carboxylic acids and derivatives (A-level only), and it separates acyl chloride from similar A-Level ideas rather than relying on a vague recall statement. Other options are weaker if they use the wrong evidence, calculation, mechanism, observation, unit, or conclusion for this subtopic.

Common mistake

Misunderstanding Reactivity

Students often confuse the reactivity of acyl chlorides with that of carboxylic acids, thinking they react in the same way with nucleophiles.

Remember that acyl chlorides are more reactive than carboxylic acids due to the presence of the chlorine atom, which is a better leaving group. Focus on the mechanism of nucleophilic addition-elimination for acyl chlorides.

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