Nucleophilic Substitution
AQA A-Level Chemistry
3.3.3
Having established the structure and properties of halogenoalkanes, we can now explore how they react with other substances. The polar carbon–halogen bond provides the foundation for understanding the characteristic reactions of halogenoalkanes, beginning with nucleophilic substitution. Understanding this reaction also provides the foundation for exploring how changing the halogen affects the rate of nucleophilic substitution.
In this topic you will:
- Understand what nucleophilic substitution is and why halogenoalkanes undergo these reactions.
- Understand and apply the general nucleophilic substitution mechanism using curly arrows.
- Identify the reagents and conditions required for reactions with hydroxide ions, cyanide ions and ammonia.
- Explain how these reactions produce alcohols, nitriles and amines, including the additional step required when ammonia acts as the nucleophile.
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