substitution Flashcards
1
Q
why can’t tertiary substrates undergo Sn2 reactions
A
results in crowding of transition state
2
Q
polar protic solvents
● what do they solvate
● why not good for Sn2?
● why good for Sn1?
A
● solvate both cations and anions
● not good for Sn2: stabilise anionic nucleophiles and make them less reactive
● good for Sn1: stabilises both carbocation and leaving group
3
Q
polar aprotic solvents
● what do they solvate
● why good for Sn2?
A
● solvate cations and leave anions “naked”
● good for Sn2: solvates countercations and leaves nucleophile “naked” and ready to react
