Nucleophilic Substitution and Elimination Reactions
This page introduces two important reactions involving haloalkanes: nucleophilic substitution and elimination. The nucleophilic substitution reaction in haloalkanes is explained in detail, showing how these compounds react with various nucleophiles such as hydroxide ions, cyanide ions, and ammonia.
Definition: A nucleophile is a molecule attracted to a nucleus and possesses a lone pair of electrons, making it an electron donor.
The elimination reaction is also discussed, highlighting its role in producing alkenes.
Highlight: The use of ethanol solvent in alkene elimination reactions is emphasized as a crucial condition for this reaction to occur.
The page provides specific examples of products formed through these reactions, including alcohols, nitriles, and amines.
Example: In a nucleophilic substitution reaction, a haloalkane reacting with a hydroxide ion −OH produces an alcohol.
The conditions required for elimination reactions are clearly stated, emphasizing the need for ethanol as a solvent and reflux conditions.
Vocabulary: Reflux conditions refer to a setup where the reaction mixture is heated to boiling and the vapors are condensed and returned to the reaction vessel, allowing for continuous heating without loss of solvent.