The Reaction Below Is a Direct Enolate Alkylation

question 19

Multiple Choice

The reaction below is a direct enolate alkylation. It has been found that this reaction only works well with unhindered methyl and 1° alkyl halides. Pick the statement that best explains this observation.

• A) The nucleophilic enolate requires a reaction center that has a positive charge.
• B) Hindered alkyl halides do not undergo S_N1 reactions.
• C) Hindered alkyl halides do not undergo S_N2 reactions.
• D) Methyl and 1° alkyl halides can form carbocations that can readily react with the nucleophilic enolate.