3.3.2

Substitution Reactions of Haloalkanes

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Nucleophilic Substitution

Haloalkanes react with nucleophiles in a nucleophilic substitution reaction. This mechanism is a one-step process.

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Nucleophilic substitution

  • The mechanism for nucleophilic substitution with hydroxide ions is shown above.
    • This makes an alcohol.
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With ammonia

  • Nucleophilic substitution can be used to make amines. This is shown above.
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With cyanide ions

  • Nucleophilic substitution can be used to make nitriles. This is shown above.
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Reactivity

  • The reactivity of haloalkanes decreases in the order I > Br > Cl > F.
  • This is because the C-I bond is weakest and the C-F bond is strongest.
  • For the haloalkane to react, the C-X bond must break (X means any halogen).
  • This means that the activation energy is highest for a haloalkane with a carbon-fluorine bond and the reaction is therefore slowest.

Jump to other topics

1Physical Chemistry

1.1Atoms, Molecules & Stoichiometry

1.2Atomic Structure

1.3Chemical Bonding

1.4States of Matter

1.5Chemical Energetics

1.6Electrochemistry

1.7Equilibria

1.8Partition Coefficient

1.9Reaction Kinetics

2Inorganic Chemistry

3Organic Chemistry & Analysis

3.1Introduction to Organic Chemistry

3.2Hydrocarbons

3.3Halogen Derivatives

3.4Hydroxy Compounds

3.5Carbonyl Compounds

3.6Carboxylic Acids & Derivatives

3.7Nitrogen Compounds

3.8Polymerisation

3.9Analytical Techniques

3.10Organic Synthesis

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