Question

The reaction$C{{H}_{3}}C{{H}_{2}}I+KO{{H}_{(aq)}}\xrightarrow{{}}C{{H}_{3}}C{{H}_{2}}OH+KI$, is classified as:
(A) Electrophilic substitution
(B) Nucleophilic substitution
(C) Elimination
(D) Addition

Answer 1

There are two types of substitution reactions.
Electrophilic substitution reaction: In this reaction an electrophile is going to replace another electrophile in the chemical it is called as electrophilic substitution reaction
Nucleophilic substitution reaction : In this reaction a nucleophile is going to replace a

Complete step by step solution:

The given reaction is as follows.
$C{{H}_{3}}C{{H}_{2}}I+KO{{H}_{(aq)}}\xrightarrow{{}}C{{H}_{3}}C{{H}_{2}}OH+KI$
In the above reaction the reactant is ethyl iodide.
- The product is ethyl alcohol.
- In ethyl iodide the nucleophile is iodide (${{I}^{-}}$).
- In ethyl alcohol the nucleophile is hydroxide ($O{{H}^{-}}$).
- Means in the reaction iodide is replaced with hydroxide.
- Means one nucleophile is substituted by another nucleophile.
Therefore, the reaction is a Nucleophilic substitution reaction.
Coming to given options, Option A, electrophilic substitution, it is wrong because in the given reaction electrophilic substitution is not taking place.
Coming to option C, Elimination, it is also wrong because there is no double bond in the given product.
Coming to option D, Addition, it is also wrong because there is a double bond in the given reactant.
Coming to option B, Nucleophilic substitution. It is correct. In the given reaction Nucleophilic substitution is taking place.
So, the correct option is B.

Note: Don’t be confused with the terms electrophile and nucleophile.
Electrophile – it is positively charged and attracts negative charge towards it.
Nucleophile – it is negatively charged and attracts positive charge towards it.