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The reaction between 2-bromo-2-methylpropane and hydroxide ions occurs in two steps - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 2 - 2012 - Paper 1

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The reaction between 2-bromo-2-methylpropane and hydroxide ions occurs in two steps. step 1: (C₃H₉)Br(aq) → (C₃H₉)C⁺(aq) + Br⁻(aq) step 2: (C₃H₉)C⁺(aq) + ... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:The reaction between 2-bromo-2-methylpropane and hydroxide ions occurs in two steps - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 2 - 2012 - Paper 1

Step 1

a. Write an equation that represents the overall reaction between 2-bromo-2-methylpropane and hydroxide ions.

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Answer

The overall reaction can be summed up as follows:

(C3H9)Br+OH(C3H9)COH+Br(C_3H_9)Br + OH^- \rightarrow (C_3H_9)COH + Br^-

This equation represents the transformation of 2-bromo-2-methylpropane into the corresponding alcohol and the bromide ion.

Step 2

b. i. Which step involves an endothermic reaction? Provide a reason for your answer.

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Step 1 involves an endothermic reaction because energy is required to break the bond between the bromine atom and the carbon atom in the substrate. The profile diagram shows that the energy level of the products is higher than that of the reactants.

Step 3

b. ii. Which step is slower? Justify your answer.

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Answer

Step 1 is slower than step 2. This is because the reaction requires a significant input of energy to overcome the activation energy barrier to form the carbocation intermediate, (C₃H₉)C⁺. In contrast, step 2 involves a nucleophilic attack on this intermediate, which is generally faster.

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