Question detail
In a reaction mechanism, what does a curly arrow pointing towards a bond indicate?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Introduction to organic chemistry
Question
- A. Electrons are being lost
- B. Electrons are being gained
- C. A bond is being formed
- D. A bond is being broken
Answer
A bond is being formed
Explanation
A curly arrow pointing towards a bond indicates that electrons are being used to form a new bond, illustrating the process of bond formation in reaction mechanisms.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Curly Arrows
Students often forget to show the correct starting point for curly arrows, leading to incorrect electron movement representation.
Always start curly arrows from the electron pair or lone pair and point them towards the atom or bond they are moving to. For example, in a nucleophilic attack, the arrow should start from the nucleophile's lone pair and point to the electrophile's positive center.
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