Question detail
What is the role of hydroxide ions (OH-) in nucleophilic substitution reactions?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Halogenoalkanes
Question
- A. They act as a nucleophile and a base.
- B. They only act as a nucleophile.
- C. They only act as a base.
- D. They do not participate in the reaction.
Answer
They act as a nucleophile and a base.
Explanation
Hydroxide ions (OH-) can donate a pair of electrons to form a bond with a carbon atom in halogenoalkanes, acting as a nucleophile. Additionally, they can abstract a proton, functioning as a base. This dual role is crucial in nucleophilic substitution and elimination reactions.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Hydroxide Ion Roles
Students often confuse the roles of hydroxide ions as both nucleophiles and bases, failing to explain how they can act in both capacities depending on the reaction conditions.
To clarify, hydroxide ions (OH-) can act as nucleophiles in nucleophilic substitution reactions by attacking electrophilic carbon atoms, and as bases in elimination reactions by abstracting protons. Always specify the context of the reaction to determine their role. For example, in a reaction with a halogenoalkane, state that OH- acts as a nucleophile when substituting the halogen and as a base when facilitating elimination.
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