A nucleophile is best described as a species that:
Donates a pair of electrons
Accepts a pair of electrons
Donates a proton
Has an unpaired electron
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WhyA nucleophile is an electron-rich species that donates a lone pair of electrons to form a new bond (a Lewis base).
2Multiple choice · Easy
Alkenes characteristically undergo which type of reaction with electrophiles?
Electrophilic addition
Nucleophilic substitution
Free-radical substitution
Neutralisation
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WhyThe electron-rich C=C double bond of an alkene attracts electrophiles, so alkenes undergo electrophilic addition.
3Multiple choice · Medium
A Lewis acid is defined as a species that:
Accepts a pair of electrons
Donates a pair of electrons
Donates a proton
Accepts a proton
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WhyA Lewis acid is an electron-pair acceptor, whereas a Lewis base is an electron-pair donor.
4Multiple choice · Medium
What is the organic product when bromine, $\text{Br}_{2}$, adds across the double bond of ethene?
1,2-dibromoethane
bromoethane
ethanol
1,1-dibromoethane
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WhyElectrophilic addition of $\text{Br}_{2}$ to ethene gives 1,2-dibromoethane, $\text{CH}_{2}\text{BrCH}_{2}\text{Br}$, and decolourises the bromine.
5Multiple choice · Medium
When a halogenoalkane reacts with aqueous hydroxide ions, $\text{OH}^{-}$, the organic product is:
An alcohol
An alkene
A carboxylic acid
An alkane
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WhyThe hydroxide ion acts as a nucleophile, substituting the halogen to form an alcohol, e.g. $\text{CH}_{3}\text{Br} + \text{OH}^{-} \rightarrow \text{CH}_{3}\text{OH} + \text{Br}^{-}$.
6Multiple choice · Hard
Which species acts as the electrophile in the addition of $\text{HBr}$ to propene?
The $\text{H}^{\delta+}$ of $\text{HBr}$
The $\text{Br}^{-}$ ion
The double bond
A hydroxide ion
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WhyThe $\text{H}^{\delta+}$ end of the polar H-Br bond is electron-deficient and attacks the electron-rich double bond, so $\text{H}^{+}$ (from HBr) is the electrophile.
7Fill in the blank · Easy
An electron-pair acceptor is known as a Lewis .
Answer:
acid
WhyA Lewis acid accepts a pair of electrons to form a coordinate (dative) covalent bond.
8Fill in the blank · Medium
Orange bromine water is decolourised when shaken with an , because the C=C double bond undergoes addition.
Answer:
alkene / alkene (unsaturated compound)
WhyAlkenes (unsaturated hydrocarbons) decolourise bromine water by electrophilic addition; alkanes do not. This is the test for unsaturation.
9Multiple choice · Medium
What is the product of the addition of HBr to but-2-ene?
2-bromobutane
1-bromobutane
2,2-dibromobutane
but-1-ene
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WhyHBr adds across the double bond of the symmetrical alkene to give 2-bromobutane.
10Multiple choice · Medium
Which type of reaction occurs when bromine adds across the C=C bond of an alkene?
Electrophilic addition
Nucleophilic substitution
Free-radical substitution
Elimination
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WhyAlkenes undergo electrophilic addition across the double bond.
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