\(CH _{3} CH _{2} Cl + NaOH \rightarrow CH _{3} CH _{2} OH + NaCl\). The above reaction is best described will proceed to form the products by a process known as ____________
A. nucleophilic addition B. nucleophilic substitution C. electrophilic addition D. electrophilic substitution
Correct Answer: B
Explanation
\(CH _{3} CH _{2} Cl + NaOH \rightarrow CH _{3} CH _{2} OH + NaCl\)irst of all, an electrophile is a specie that attacks an electron-rich centre. Such a thing must not be a reagent with negative charge why? Electrophile can be interpreted from the constituent words Electro \(\rightarrow\) Electron, phile \(\rightarrow\) philia (attraction). So, an electrophile must be electron loving. \(Can Cl\) be an electrophile? \(NO\), e- is also negative; there will be repulsion instead of attraction. So how do you classify \(Cu ^{2+}, Ag ^{+}, Pb ^{2+}\) ? Good! Electrophiles.oth \(OH ^{-}\)and \(Cl ^{-}\)are nucleophiles, not electrophiles. A nucleophile is attracted to a positively charged centre (the nucleus is positive). Therefore, \(Cl ^{-}, OH ^{-}, NO _{2}^{-}\)etc. are nucleophiles.ack to the question, there is a mutual exchange of \(OH ^{-}\) and \(Cl\). This is a substitution reaction. Since \(OH ^{-}\)and \(Cl\) are nucleophiles, the reaction is a nuclcophilic substitution reaction
