Nucleophillic substitution Flashcards
What type of molecule does nucleophilic substitution take place in?
Halogenoalkanes
Generally, what happens in a nucleophilic substitution reaction?
The nucleophile removes the functional group and replaces it in the molecule
What is produced when halogenoalkanes react with OH-?
Alcohol
What conditions are required when you react a halogenoalkane with OH- ?
Warm aqueous sodium or potassium hydroxide
What is produced when halogenoalkanes react with CN?
Nitrile
What conditions are required when you react a halogenoalkane with CN?
Warm with ethanol potassium cyanide
Under reflux
What is produced when halogenoalkanes react with NH3?
Amine
What conditions are required when you react a halogenoalkane with NH3?
Excess ethanol ammonia in a sealed tube
What can happen to the products of the nucleophilic substitution reaction of a halogenoalkane with NH3?
The NH4+ and Br- can react to form NH4Br
Why do fluroalkanes undergo nucleophilic substitution reactions more slowly than other halogenoalkanes?
The C-F bond is the strongest - highest bond enthalpy
Why is C-I substituted the quickest?
It has the lowest bond enthalpy
What is the summary for nucleophilic substitution reactions?
- Nucleophile attacks the d+ carbon atom, breaking the carbon-halogen bond
- Nucleophile then attaches to the carbon in its place
What is a nucleophile?
Electron pair donator
