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posted by  RN on 8/24/2008 12:42:41 AM  |  status: Live  

classify structure

Course Textbook Chapter Problem
Organic Chemistry N/A N/A N/A
Question Details:
   hydronium ion
 
Classify the structure below as a nucleophile or electrophile and briefly explai your choice.
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posted by Kaiouji on 8/24/2008 1:51:40 AM  |  status: Live
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i suspect its just H3O+ and so its a nucleophile because there is an additional proton it can give up or donate.

H2O + H+  <--->   H3O+ is the reaction to make hydronium.  It requires a proton to form this hydronium.  Plus, the molecule cannot receive anymore protons to stay any more stable.  Electrophiles tend to want electrons or protons to stabilize, so it would take it from a nucleophile like hydronium.
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posted by Xylene on 8/24/2008 3:34:30 AM  |  status: Live
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RN's comment:
"This answer was an exact/word for word of the first answer offered by Kaiouji"
Response Details:
 H3O+is a nucleophile because there is an additional proton it can give up or donate.

H2O + H+  <--->   H3O+ is the reaction to make hydronium.  It requires a proton to form this hydronium
.  molecule cannot receive anymore protons to be more stable.  Electrophiles tend to want electrons or protons to stabilize, so it would take it from a nucleophile like hydronium.
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