Question detail
Outline the elimination mechanism for halogenoalkanes when treated with hydroxide ions.
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Topic
Halogenoalkanes
Question
Outline the elimination mechanism for halogenoalkanes when treated with hydroxide ions.
Answer
In the elimination mechanism, hydroxide ions act as a base, abstracting a proton from a carbon adjacent to the carbon bonded to the halogen. This leads to the formation of a double bond as the halogen leaves, resulting in an alkene.
Explanation
This answer is strong because it clearly describes the role of hydroxide ions in the elimination mechanism, highlighting the formation of a double bond and the departure of the halogen. The question tests understanding of the elimination process in organic chemistry.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Elimination Mechanisms
Students often confuse the elimination mechanism with nucleophilic substitution, failing to recognize that elimination involves the removal of a small molecule (like water) and the formation of a double bond.
To clarify, remember that in elimination reactions, the hydroxide ion acts as a base, abstracting a proton and leading to the formation of a double bond. For example, in the elimination of HBr from bromoethane, the reaction can be outlined as follows: C2H5Br + OH- → C2H4 + H2O + Br-. Here, the hydroxide ion removes a proton from the carbon adjacent to the carbon bonded to bromine, resulting in the formation of ethene and water.
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