Chemistry
10th Edition
ISBN:9781305957404
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Chapter1: Chemical Foundations
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: Define and explain the differences between the following terms. a. law and theory b. theory and...
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
Transcribed Image Text:### Question 8: Nucleophilicity in Polar Aprotic Solvents
**Objective:** Rank the given species in order of increasing nucleophilicity in a polar aprotic solvent. Start with the weakest nucleophile.
**Species to Rank:**
- \( \text{Cl}^- \)
- \( \text{SH}^- \)
- \( \text{CH}_3^- \)
- \( \text{OH}^- \)
**Ranking Order:**
Given the nature of polar aprotic solvents, which do not solvate anions strongly, nucleophilicity correlates closely with basicity. The less favorable the conjugate acid (higher pKa), the more nucleophilic the ion generally is in these solvents.
1. **Weakest Nucleophile: \( \text{Cl}^- \)**
2. \( \text{OH}^- \)
3. \( \text{SH}^- \)
4. **Strongest Nucleophile: \( \text{CH}_3^- \)**
### Explanation
- **\( \text{Cl}^- \):** Typically a weak nucleophile in polar aprotic solvents.
- **\( \text{OH}^- \) and \( \text{SH}^- \):** Both stronger than chloride, but sulfur being larger and less electronegative, \( \text{SH}^- \) is a slightly better nucleophile than \( \text{OH}^- \).
- **\( \text{CH}_3^- \):** As a carbanion, it is a powerful nucleophile due to its very high basicity, surpassing both \( \text{OH}^- \) and \( \text{SH}^- \).
This order is essential for understanding reactions such as substitution in organic chemistry, particularly in solvents that don't stabilize the charge of the nucleophile, allowing for a more direct comparison based on intrinsic reactivity.
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