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Chemistry Forums for Students => Organic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: oakthomas on December 07, 2020, 09:38:35 PM

Title: Why don't strong bases make good leaving groups?
Post by: oakthomas on December 07, 2020, 09:38:35 PM

If strong bases want to dissociate, then why wouldn't it want to dissociate faster from its parent compound, making it a good leaving group?

Title: Re: Why don't strong bases make good leaving groups?
Post by: hollytara on December 07, 2020, 10:47:20 PM

What makes you think a strong base wants to dissociate?

A strong base wants to "associate" with a proton (Bronsted Acid) or a Lewis Acid. 

Title: Re: Why don't strong bases make good leaving groups?
Post by: Babcock_Hall on December 08, 2020, 10:49:33 AM

It might be helpful to think of a strong base as something that does not want to bear a negative charge.

Title: Re: Why don't strong bases make good leaving groups?
Post by: rolnor on December 08, 2020, 11:25:14 AM

Or as something that would loose a lot of energy by bonding to a proton or Lewis acid.