Experiment 8

Question 1

What are the characteristics of a nucleophile for a substitution reaction?

Answer 1

compound that has a negative charge or increase electron density

Question 2

What are the characteristics of the leaving group in a substitution reaction?

Answer 2

leaving group is any group that is willing to be kicked off and is generally electronegative because needs to be happy with a negative charge

Question 3

What are characteristics of the electrophile in a substitution reaction?

Answer 3

electrophile is positively charged or has low electron density

Question 4

how do pka values of acids relate to whether or not it is a good leaving group?

Answer 4

the smaller the pka value of acids (as in negative values) the better leaving group it creates

Question 5

what solvent favors SN2 reactions?

Answer 5

polar aprotic solvents

Question 6

what solvent hinders SN2 reactions?

Answer 6

polar solvents

Question 7

what is true of protic solvents properties in SN2 reactions?

Answer 7

hinder the SN2 because it surrounds the nucleophile to compete with the electrophile of interest. Protic means it has a H that serves as a source of protons. Then acid-base reaction occurs between the nucleophile and the protic solvent

Question 8

why is water a good leaving group?

Answer 8

water is a good leaving group because it is stable