Quaternary ammonium salt is formeda)by serial nucleophilic substitutio...
Quaternary ammonium salts are formed by a series of nucleophilic substitution reactions, which involve the substitution of a nucleophile for a leaving group. The correct answer is option 'D' because all of the given options are valid methods for the formation of quaternary ammonium salts. Let's discuss each option in detail:
a) Serial nucleophilic substitution of the product:
This option refers to a stepwise process in which a nucleophile substitutes a leaving group in a reaction, producing an intermediate product. This intermediate product then undergoes further nucleophilic substitution reactions until the desired quaternary ammonium salt is obtained.
b) Treating an alkyl or benzyl halide with ammonia:
Alkyl or benzyl halides can react with ammonia (NH3) to form quaternary ammonium salts. In this reaction, the halide group is replaced by an ammonium group, resulting in the formation of a quaternary ammonium salt.
c) Nucleophilic substitution reaction:
Nucleophilic substitution reactions involve the substitution of a nucleophile for a leaving group. In the case of quaternary ammonium salts, a nucleophile replaces a leaving group attached to a quaternary ammonium ion, resulting in the formation of a new quaternary ammonium salt.
Therefore, all of the given options are valid methods for the formation of quaternary ammonium salts. These salts are widely used in various applications, including as surfactants, disinfectants, and catalysts.