Question detail
Which of the following is a characteristic of nucleophilic substitution reactions involving halogenoalkanes?
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 always produce a gas
- B. They involve the replacement of a halogen atom
- C. They require high temperatures
- D. They do not involve any ions
Answer
They involve the replacement of a halogen atom
Explanation
Nucleophilic substitution reactions involve the replacement of the halogen atom in halogenoalkanes with a nucleophile, such as OH-, CN-, or NH3.
Common mistake
Understanding Nucleophilic Substitution
Students often confuse the roles of nucleophiles and electrophiles in nucleophilic substitution mechanisms.
To clarify, remember that nucleophiles are electron-rich species that donate a pair of electrons to form a bond, while electrophiles are electron-deficient species that accept electron pairs. For example, in the reaction of a halogenoalkane with OH-, the hydroxide ion (OH-) acts as the nucleophile, attacking the carbon atom bonded to the halogen, which is the electrophile due to its partial positive charge.
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