Chemistry · Alkyl Halides and Amines
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Which of the following acts as a nucleophile in the reaction of alkyl halide with alcoholic / aqueous ammonia?
- A
H+
- B
NH3
- C
NO2+
- D
Br-
Since ammonia is nucleophilic, it attacks the electropositive carbon and causes the Br- ion to leave, this allows for the formation of amines as a result of this reaction.
A proton (H⁺) is an electrophile, not a nucleophile, as it accepts electrons rather than donating them.
Ammonia (NH₃) has a lone pair of electrons on nitrogen, making it a nucleophile. In the reaction with alkyl halides, ammonia donates this lone pair to the electrophilic carbon, leading to nucleophilic substitution.
Nitronium ion (NO₂⁺) is an electrophile, not a nucleophile, as it lacks electrons to donate.
Bromide ion (Br⁻) is a nucleophile, but in the reaction of alkyl halides with ammonia, NH₃ is the active nucleophile, not Br⁻.
Tagged under Chemistry · Alkyl Halides and Amines · 2018