Same chapter3 marksDifficulty: Medium
Arrange the following in increasing order of reactivity towards SN1 and give the reason: 1-chlorobutane, 2-chlorobutane, 2-chloro-2-methylpropane.
Haloalkanes and Haloarenes
3 marksDifficulty: Medium
What is meant by an ambident nucleophile? Illustrate with the cyanide ion.
Original Khojo Papers practice question — not from a past board paper.
Answer
An ambident nucleophile has two different atoms through which it can attack. The cyanide ion can attack through carbon to give an alkyl cyanide, or through nitrogen to give an alkyl isocyanide. With potassium cyanide, which is largely ionic, the carbon end attacks and a cyanide is formed; with silver cyanide, which is largely covalent, the nitrogen attacks and an isocyanide is formed.
No citable source has been recorded for this record. Treat it as practice material, not as fact.
Explanation
The product therefore depends on which reagent is chosen.
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Haloalkanes and Haloarenes
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