For each pair, predict the stronger nucleophile in the | StudySoup

Textbook Solutions for Organic Chemistry

Chapter 6 Problem 16P

Question

For each pair, predict the stronger nucleophile in the \(\mathrm{S}_{\mathrm{N}} 2\) reaction (using an alcohol as the solvent). Explain your prediction.


(a) \(left(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{CH}_{2}\right)_{3} \mathrm{~N} \text { or }\left(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{CH}_{2}\right)_{2} \mathrm{NH}\)


(b) \(\left(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\right)_{2} \mathrm{O} \text { or }\left(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\right)_{2} \mathrm{~S}\)


(c) \(\mathrm{NH}_{3} \text { or } \mathrm{PH}_{3}\)


(d) \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{~S}^{-} \text {or } \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{~S}\)


(e) \(\left(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\right)_{3} \mathrm{N or}\left(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\right)_{2} \mathrm{O}\)


(f) \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{COO}^{-} \text {or } \mathrm{CF}_{3} \mathrm{COO}^{-}\)


(g) \(\left(\mathrm{CH}_{3}\right)_{2} \mathrm{CHO}^{-} \text {or } \mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{O}^{-}\)


(h) \(\mathrm{I}^{-} \text {or } \mathrm{Cl}^{-}\)

Problem-solving Hint

Steric hindrance (bulkiness) hinders nucleophilicity \(\left(\mathrm{S}_{\mathrm{N}} 2\right)\) more than it hinders basicity.

Solution

Solution 16P

Step 1

The  reaction relies on the rear-side attack of a strong nucleophile on a sterically unhindered electrophile containing a good leaving group.

(a)

The pair of compounds are  and.

Note that  is a secondary amine, and is less hindered than the other compound (which is a tertiary amine). There is less steric hindrance around the secondary amine, and so it will be the stronger nucleophile; it can more easily attack the electrophile.

Therefore,  will be the stronger nucleophile.

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full solution

Title Organic Chemistry 8 
Author L.G. Wade Jr
ISBN 9780321768414

For each pair, predict the stronger nucleophile in the

Chapter 6 textbook questions

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