Asked by Michelle Carrey on Jul 31, 2024
Verified
Which of the following reactive intermediates can best be described as both nucleophilic and strongly basic?
A) carbanions
B) carbocations
C) carbenes
D) free radicals
E) alkanes
Reactive Intermediates
Highly reactive species that are formed transiently during chemical reactions, often determining the product distribution.
Nucleophilic
Describes a type of chemical species that donates an electron pair to form a chemical bond in reaction, indicating a tendency to seek positively charged or electron-deficient sites.
Basic
Characteristic of substances that have a pH greater than 7, which can accept protons (H+) or donate electrons and are often slippery to the touch.
- Expound on the molecular structure and responsiveness of carbenes.
Verified Answer
DH
DRock HarrisAug 06, 2024
Final Answer :
A
Explanation :
Carbanions are negatively charged species that have a lone pair of electrons and a negative charge. This lone pair of electrons makes them nucleophilic, and the negative charge makes them strongly basic. Carbocations, on the other hand, are positively charged species and are therefore not basic. Carbenes are neutral and can be either electrophilic or nucleophilic, but they are not strongly basic. Free radicals are neutral and do not have a lone pair of electrons, so they are not nucleophilic or basic. Alkanes are neutral molecules and are not reactive intermediates.
Learning Objectives
- Expound on the molecular structure and responsiveness of carbenes.