Question

C H25.2 - Level 3 Unanswered. 2 attempts left Which equilibrium in the given reaction is most affected by the leaving group's ability to leave? A 1. 1. and 2) OH Submit

Answer 1

Most probably in the 1st equilibrium gets affected by the leaving group's ability to leave. It is because in the 1st case carbon atom in the -COCl bond has both oxygen atom and carbon atom attached to it. Both of this are very electronegative. They pull electron towards themselves leaving the Carbon centre quite positively charged which is easy for the nucleophile(OH-) to attack.So as soon as the nucleophile attacks to compensate electron density the leaving group leaves the Carbon centre . So this is only possible i.e. leaving group will leave only when the incoming nucleophile and carbon bond enthalpies will stronger than the previously held C-Cl bond. So 1st equilibrium will determine the extent of overall reaction.