Nucleophiles are electron-rich species that attack the electron-deficient part of a substrate molecule, leading to nucleophilic substitution reactions. In these reactions, a nucleophile reacts with a haloalkane, replacing the existing nucleophile, and the departing halogen forms a halide ion.
What characterizes nucleophiles, and how do they participate in nucleophilic substitution reactions with haloalkanes?
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Nucleophiles are electron-rich species with a tendency to donate electron pairs. They participate in nucleophilic substitution reactions with haloalkanes by attacking the electrophilic carbon atom bearing the halogen. The nucleophile donates its electron pair to form a new bond with the carbon, leading to the replacement of the halogen. This substitution process transforms the haloalkane into a new compound. The nucleophile’s reactivity is influenced by factors like charge density, electronegativity, and steric hindrance. Nucleophiles play a crucial role in various organic reactions, such as SN1 and SN2 reactions, involving the substitution of halogens in haloalkanes.