Acetone can be used as a solvent in the reaction between an alkyl bromide and potassium iodide to increase the amount of alkyl iodide formed. Explain. (Hint: Potassium iodide is soluble in acetone but potassium bromide is not.)
Why does a nucleophilic reagent, such as methoxide ion, add more easily to an alkyne than an alkene?
Determine the products of the following reactions.
a. CH3Br + CH3CH2O−
b. CH3Br + HC≡C−
The following illustration outlines the steps involved in the synthesis of 2,3-dihydrobenzo[b][1,4]dioxine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid:
Provide the structure of intermediate A and illustrate the mechanism for its formation.
For the following substitution reactions, determine which would react faster.
(CH3)3CCH2CH2Cl + H2O or (CH3)3CCH2CH2Cl + HO−