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Multiple Choice
Which factor increases the rate of a nucleophilic substitution reaction in organic chemistry?
A
Increasing the concentration of the nucleophile
B
Decreasing the temperature of the reaction
C
Decreasing the concentration of the substrate
D
Using a less polar solvent
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of nucleophilic substitution reactions, which involve the replacement of a leaving group by a nucleophile in an organic molecule.
Identify that the rate of a nucleophilic substitution reaction can be influenced by several factors, including the concentration of the nucleophile, the nature of the solvent, and the temperature.
Recognize that increasing the concentration of the nucleophile generally increases the rate of the reaction because it raises the likelihood of collisions between the nucleophile and the substrate.
Consider the role of the solvent: a less polar solvent can increase the rate of a nucleophilic substitution reaction by reducing solvation of the nucleophile, making it more reactive.
Evaluate the effect of temperature: decreasing the temperature typically decreases the reaction rate, as it reduces the kinetic energy of the molecules involved, leading to fewer effective collisions.