Multiple Choice
Which of the following is not a step in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis?
3. Acids and Bases
Organic Chemistry Reactions
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Which of the following reactions is an example of a nucleophilic substitution reaction?
A
The addition of hydrogen bromide to an alkene
B
The dehydration of an alcohol to form an alkene
C
The reaction of an alkyl halide with a hydroxide ion to form an alcohol
D
The oxidation of a primary alcohol to an aldehyde
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the concept of nucleophilic substitution reactions: These reactions involve a nucleophile replacing a leaving group in a molecule. The general form is: \( \text{R-LG} + \text{Nu}^- \rightarrow \text{R-Nu} + \text{LG}^- \), where \( \text{R-LG} \) is the substrate, \( \text{Nu}^- \) is the nucleophile, and \( \text{LG}^- \) is the leaving group.
Analyze the given reactions to identify the one that fits the nucleophilic substitution pattern. The key is to look for a reaction where a nucleophile attacks a carbon atom, displacing a leaving group.
Consider the reaction of an alkyl halide with a hydroxide ion to form an alcohol: In this reaction, the hydroxide ion (\( \text{OH}^- \)) acts as the nucleophile, attacking the carbon atom bonded to the halide (\( \text{R-X} \)), and displacing the halide ion (\( \text{X}^- \)) as the leaving group.
Compare this with the other reactions: The addition of hydrogen bromide to an alkene is an electrophilic addition, not a substitution. The dehydration of an alcohol to form an alkene is an elimination reaction. The oxidation of a primary alcohol to an aldehyde involves the removal of hydrogen, not a substitution.
Conclude that the reaction of an alkyl halide with a hydroxide ion to form an alcohol is the only example of a nucleophilic substitution reaction among the given options.
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