It is possible to prepare ethanol by nucleophilic substitution. For an electrophile, you could choose EtCl, EtBr, or EtI; for a nucleophile you could choose LiOH, NaOH, or KOH. Which combination of reactants/reagents would be most atom economical? Provide a qualitative explanation for your answer. HTML EditorKeyboard Shortcuts

Question

Sarai Clements

Chemistry

28 August, 16:20

It is possible to prepare ethanol by nucleophilic substitution. For an electrophile, you could choose EtCl, EtBr, or EtI; for a nucleophile you could choose LiOH, NaOH, or KOH. Which combination of reactants/reagents would be most atom economical? Provide a qualitative explanation for your answer. HTML EditorKeyboard Shortcuts

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Grayson · Answer 1

The reactant/reagent that would be most atom economical is EtI (Ethy Iodide) and KOH (potassium oxide) as base

This is because the iodo group are weak base hence they have a good leaving character (i. e they are unstable on their own) which would increase the rate of reaction and the strong base KOH give the most atom economical