Which of the two #O_2NCH_2CH_2O# or #CH_3CH_2O^-# is expected to be more stable and why?
1 Answer
Explanation:
Both situations you are comparing this reactive species called an Ethoxide ion, which is the conjugate base of Ethanol. Ethanol is a terrible acid (as in, it is not an acid), so its conjugate base is really strong!
I'm talking about the
The oxygen in this is very reactive and is a strong nucleophile in part because it is loaded with electrons.
Carbon chains are generally electron donating groups, so they have a tendency in this situation to increase the reactivity of the
The NO2 group, however, is generally an electron withdrawing group, and the presence of this group will diminish the reactivity of the