Among common laboratory solvents, ethers are remarkably unreactive towards many strong reagents. Which of the following compounds is highly resistant to nucleophilic attack by hydroxyl () ions?

Question

Among common laboratory solvents, ethers are remarkably unreactive towards many strong reagents. Which of the following compounds is highly resistant to nucleophilic attack by hydroxyl ($OH^-$) ions?

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: D. Ethers (like diethyl ether) contain extremely poor leaving groups (alkoxide ions, ). They do not possess an electrophilic carbonyl carbon or an acidic proton. Consequently, they are entirely inert to strong bases and nucleophiles like hydroxyl ions ().

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