The compound below can be prepared with an alkyl iodide and a suitable nucleophile: Identify the alkyl iodide and the nucleophile that you would use: For an anionic nucleophile, you do not need to draw the counterion Alkyl iodide: Edit HSC Nucleophile: H H Edit OH H
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To answer this question accurately, we must first identify the target compound you’re referring to. However, since the compound was not included in your message, I will explain how to approach this kind of synthesis problem generally and provide a likely example based on the context: using an alkyl iodide and an anionic nucleophile such as OH⁻ (hydroxide).
Example Compound:
Let’s consider the preparation of ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH) using an alkyl iodide and a nucleophile:
- Target compound: CH₃CH₂OH (ethanol)
- Alkyl iodide: CH₃CH₂I (ethyl iodide)
- Nucleophile: OH⁻ (hydroxide ion)
Reaction:
This is a typical SN2 nucleophilic substitution reaction: CH₃CH₂I+OH−→CH₃CH₂OH+I−\text{CH₃CH₂I} + \text{OH}⁻ \rightarrow \text{CH₃CH₂OH} + \text{I}⁻
Explanation
The synthesis of alcohols using alkyl halides and nucleophiles is a classic example of nucleophilic substitution reactions in organic chemistry, particularly via the SN2 mechanism. In this pathway, a strong nucleophile directly attacks the electrophilic carbon atom of the alkyl halide, displacing the halide (a good leaving group).
In the example above, ethyl iodide (CH₃CH₂I) serves as the alkyl iodide. It contains a primary carbon attached to the iodine atom, making it highly reactive toward SN2 displacement because primary carbons are less hindered and more accessible to nucleophilic attack.
The nucleophile is the hydroxide ion (OH⁻). As an anionic nucleophile, OH⁻ is strong and readily attacks the electrophilic carbon in the ethyl iodide. Iodide (I⁻), being a large and polarizable ion, is an excellent leaving group and is easily displaced in the reaction.
The result is the formation of ethanol (CH₃CH₂OH) and iodide ion as the byproduct. This method is useful in laboratory synthesis of simple alcohols.
This reaction is also stereospecific; if the carbon center were chiral (not in this example), the inversion of configuration would be observed—a hallmark of the SN2 process.
This concept can be extended to more complex molecules by choosing appropriate alkyl halides and nucleophiles to construct desired functional groups in organic synthesis.
Final Answer:
- Alkyl iodide: CH₃CH₂I (ethyl iodide)
- Nucleophile: OH⁻ (hydroxide ion)
