In a reaction of ethane and hydrochloric acid, the hydrogen ions act as:

Correct answer: B. electrophiles

  • A. nucleophiles
  • B. electrophiles
  • C. carbon ions
  • D. carbonium ions

Explanation

Electrophiles: Electrophiles are electron-deficient species that accept a pair of electrons to form a new chemical bond. Hydrogen ions (H+) in hydrochloric acid act as electrophiles since they are positively charged and can accept a pair of electrons from another species during a reaction. Therefore, in the reaction of ethane and hydrochloric acid, the hydrogen ions (H+) act as electrophiles by accepting a pair of electrons during the reaction.

This question appeared on the ETEA MDCAT 2009 paper, which you can sit online with every answer explained.

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About Nucleophilic Substitution

Nucleophilic substitution replaces a leaving group in an alkyl halide when an electron-rich nucleophile attacks the carbon atom. The topic compares SN1 and SN2 mechanisms, including reaction conditions, substrate structure, solvent effects, nucleophile strength, carbocation formation and stereochemical changes, and distinguishes substitution from elimination.

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