A carbanion is an organic ion in which a carbon atom has a negative charge. A carbocation is an organic ion in which a carbon atom has a positive charge. The reaction between aqueous sodium hydroxide and 1-bromobutane proceeds by an SN2 mechanism. How should the first step in the mechanism be described?
✓ Correct Answer
The correct answer is A: attack by a nucleophile on a carbon atom with a partial positive charge
📋 Examiner Report & Trap Analysis
Common mistake: 62% of candidates selected the distractor because they confused... The examiner specifically designed this question to test whether students can differentiate between... To secure full marks, candidates must demonstrate...
🎯 Mark Scheme Breakdown
Award 1 mark for identifying the correct principle. Award 1 mark for showing clear working. Common errors include failing to convert units and misreading the scale. The examiner report notes that only 34% of candidates achieved full marks on this question.
Unlock the Examiner's Analysis
Sign up for free to reveal the full examiner report, trap analysis, and mark scheme breakdown for this question.
Sign Up Free to Unlock →Join thousands of Cambridge students already using Oracle Prep