The favorability of many reactions depends on the ability of the leaving group to be stable after it gains a negative charge. Sounds familiar, yes?
That’s because this is the same exact way we determine conjugate base stability.
Concept #1: How to use the factors affecting acidity to predict leaving group ability.
We use factors affecting acidity to determine which leaving groups will be most stable after gaining a lone pair.
- Recall that the element effect consists of two trends:
Predict which of the following pairs of electrophiles possesses the best leaving group.
Example #1: Predict which of the following pairs of electrophiles possesses the best leaving group.
Predict which of the following pairs of electrophiles possesses the best leaving group.
Example #2: Predict which of the following pairs of electrophiles possesses the best leaving group.
Predict which of the following pairs of electrophiles possesses the best leaving group.
Example #3: Predict which of the following pairs of electrophiles possesses the best leaving group.
Predict which of the following pairs of electrophiles possesses the best leaving group.
Example #4: Predict which of the following pairs of electrophiles possesses the best leaving group.
Due to their high electronegativity, alkyl halides will be the primary leaving groups for this chapter.
