Organic Chemistry Multiple Choice Questions on “Nucleophilic Substitution in Pyridine”.
1. At which position of pyridine nucleophilic substitution reaction is most preferred?
a) First and third
b) Second
c) Third
d) Second and Forth
Answer: d
Clarification: When the nucleophile is at the 2 and 4 positions, the intermediate anion is stabilized by the electronegative nitrogen atom. This results in a more stable anion as compared to the intermediate anion when the nucleophile is at the 3 positions. Hence, the 2 and 4 positions is preferred for nucleophilic substitution.
2. Pyridine undergoes nucleophilic substitution with NaNH2 at 100℃ to give which of the following?
a) 3-aminopyridine
b) 2-aminopyridine
c) 3,5-diaminopyridine
d) 2,5-diaminopyridine
Answer: b
Clarification: Here, sodium amide is used as the nucleophile yielding 2-aminopyridine. The hydride ion released in this reaction combines with a proton of an available amino group, forming a hydrogen molecule.
3. Pyridine undergoes nucleophilic substitution with excess of NaNH2 at 100℃ to give which of the following?
a) 3-aminopyridine
b) 2,6-diaminopyridine
c) 3,5-diaminopyridine
d) 2,5-diaminopyridine
Answer: b
Clarification: Sodium amide in excess is used as the nucleophile yielding 2,6-diaminopyridine. The hydride ion released in this reaction combines with a proton of an available amino group, forming a hydrogen molecule.
4. What will be the product of the following reaction?
a) 3-aminopyridine
b) 2-aminopyridine
c) 3,5-diaminopyridine
d) 2,5-diaminopyridine
Answer: b
Clarification: We can see the ease of replacement of halogens in these positions by nucleophiles. The intermediate anion is stabilized by electronegative nitrogen and by delocalization round the ring.
5. What will be the product of the following reaction?
a) 3-chloropyridine
b) 2-dichloropyridine
c) 3,5-dichloropyridine
d) 2,5-dichloropyridine
Answer: b
Clarification: This is the direct conversion to chloropyridines with POCl3. The reaction starts by attack of the oxygen atom at phosphorus to create a leaving group, followed by aromatic nucleophilic substitution.