In the experiment of Nucleophilic substitution reactions: Competing Nucleophiles
1)what would happen if all the solids in the nucleophile medium were not dissolved? How might this affect the outcome of the experiment?
2)Explain the order of elution you observed while performing the gas chromatography for this experiment. What property of the product molecules seems to be the most important in determining relative retention times?
1) If all the solids in the nucleophile medium were not dissolved in the experiment of nucleophilic substitution reactions, it would likely affect the outcome of the experiment. This is because the reaction relies on the availability of the nucleophiles to replace a leaving group. If the solids are not dissolved, the nucleophiles may not be able to interact effectively with the leaving group, leading to reduced or no reaction.
To properly conduct the experiment, it is important to ensure that all solids in the nucleophile medium are thoroughly dissolved. This can be achieved by stirring the mixture or applying gentle heat if necessary. By doing so, you allow the nucleophiles to be fully accessible and increase the chances of successful substitution reactions taking place.
2) The order of elution observed during gas chromatography in this experiment refers to the sequence in which the different compounds are separated and detected by the instrument. The elution order is influenced by factors such as molecular size, polarity, and volatility.
In terms of the product molecules, the most important property that determines their relative retention times is polarity. In gas chromatography, non-polar molecules tend to elute faster than polar molecules. Therefore, the more polar a compound is, the longer it will take to elute from the column.
To determine the relative retention times, you can compare the elution times of different compounds in the chromatogram. The compound with the shortest retention time elutes first, followed by those with progressively longer retention times.
In summary, the order of elution observed in gas chromatography for this experiment is primarily influenced by the polarity of the product molecules, with non-polar compounds eluting faster than polar ones.