Question detail
What is the mechanism involved in the reaction of an acyl chloride with water?
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
- A. Nucleophilic addition-elimination
- B. Electrophilic substitution
- C. Free radical substitution
- D. Nucleophilic substitution
Answer
Nucleophilic addition-elimination
Explanation
The correct option is Nucleophilic addition-elimination. Nucleophilic addition-elimination is the best answer because it directly supports the AQA A-Level Chemistry objective to outline nucleophilic addition-elimination mechanisms for acyl derivatives. 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 nucleophilic addition-elimination 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 Nucleophiles and Electrophiles
Students often confuse nucleophiles with electrophiles, thinking that both are the same in nucleophilic addition-elimination reactions.
Remember that nucleophiles are electron-rich species that donate electrons, while electrophiles are electron-deficient species that accept electrons. Clearly identify the roles of each in the mechanism.
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