SN2 reaction Flashcards
what does SN2 stand for
Substitution reaction involving a Nucleophile with 2 species involved in the slowest rate determining step
what the difference between SN1 & SN2
There is a stage in SN1 where carbocation forms. Next, the negatively charged atoms or compounds, or anion, get drawn to the carbocation. While there isn’t any intermediate formation in SN2, just a transition stage (“Difference between SN1 and SN2,” 2024).
The leaving group leaves after the nucleophile strikes in the SN2 mechanism. However, in SN1 mechanism the leaving group leaves first, you obtain a carbocation
What determines SN1 & SN2
SN1 can form hydrogen bonds, has 1 specie involved in the slowest rate determining step, has weak nucleophiles and uses polar mediums for the reaction to occur.
SN2 cannot form hydrogen bonds it can only form covalent bonds, has 2 species involved in the slowest rate determining step, has strong nucleophiles and uses non-polar mediums for the reaction to occur.
give the mechanism of SN2
The SN2 reaction mechanism proceeds through a single step. Initially, a nucleophile approaches an electrophilic center or a partially positively charged atom bound to the leaving group. Concurrently, the leaving group initiates detachment from the electrophilic center or positively charged species. This concerted process involves simultaneous nucleophilic attack and leaving group departure, leading to inversion of configuration at the reaction center.
purpose of this experiment
This experiment utilizes SN2 chemistry to convert 1-butanol (n-butanol) to 1-bromobutane (n-bromobutane).
The by-products for this lab are
1-butene, di-n-butyl ether, and the starting alcohol (butanol).
Any by-products are removed by
extraction using concentrated sulfuric acid.
The product can be removed from sulfuric acid because
it does not mix with H2SO4 and will remain
as a separate layer.
