Question

Which one of the following compounds is resistant to nucleophilic attack by hydroxyl ions?

• A. Diethyl ether
• B. Acetonitrile
• C. Acetamide
• D. Methyl acetate

Answer 1

The correct option is A Diethyl ether

Diethyl ether is a saturated compound, so it is resistant to nucleophilic attack by a hydroxyl ion $\left(O{H}^{-}\right)$. Other compounds have unsaturation and the unsaturated $‘C^{\prime }$ atom bears partial $+ve$ charge, therefore they undergo easy nucleophilic attack by $O{H}^{-}$ ion.