Question

The reaction that takes place when an electron rich species stronger than the halide approaches the partially positive carbon atom of a haloalkane and forms a new bond with the carbon atom and in the process displacing the halogen is called a ________ reaction.

(a) displacement

(b) electrophilic substitution

(c) nucleophilic substitution

(d) elimination

The question was posed to me in unit test.

This intriguing question originated from Haloalkanes & Haloarenes in section Haloalkanes and Haloarenes of Chemistry – Class 12

Answer 1

Correct answer is (c) nucleophilic substitution

To explain: Nucleophiles are electron rich species and when a stronger nucleophile replaces an already existing one is called a nucleophilic substitution reaction.