What is the major product when 1-bromobutane reacts with sodium ethoxide in etha
Practice Questions
Q1
What is the major product when 1-bromobutane reacts with sodium ethoxide in ethanol?
1-ethoxybutane
2-ethoxybutane
butane
butyl ethyl ether
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
What is the major product when 1-bromobutane reacts with sodium ethoxide in ethanol?
Correct Answer: 1-ethoxybutane
Step 1: Identify the reactants. We have 1-bromobutane (a primary alkyl halide) and sodium ethoxide (a strong nucleophile) in ethanol (a solvent).
Step 2: Recognize that sodium ethoxide will act as a nucleophile and attack the carbon atom that is bonded to the bromine in 1-bromobutane.
Step 3: Understand that this reaction follows the SN2 mechanism, which means the nucleophile attacks from the opposite side of the leaving group (bromine).
Step 4: As the nucleophile (ethoxide) attacks, the bromine leaves, resulting in the formation of a new bond between the ethoxy group and the butane chain.
Step 5: The final product of this reaction is 1-ethoxybutane, where the ethoxy group (C2H5O-) replaces the bromine atom.
