In an SN2 reaction, which of the following substrates would react the fastest wi
Practice Questions
Q1
In an SN2 reaction, which of the following substrates would react the fastest with a nucleophile?
tert-butyl chloride
isopropyl bromide
ethyl chloride
methyl iodide
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
In an SN2 reaction, which of the following substrates would react the fastest with a nucleophile?
Step 1: Understand what an SN2 reaction is. It is a type of chemical reaction where a nucleophile attacks a substrate and replaces a leaving group.
Step 2: Identify the types of substrates. Substrates can be primary, secondary, or tertiary carbon atoms. Methyl substrates have one carbon, primary have one carbon attached to the leaving group, secondary have two, and tertiary have three.
Step 3: Recognize that steric hindrance affects the speed of the reaction. More bulky groups around the carbon make it harder for the nucleophile to attack.
Step 4: Know that a good leaving group helps the reaction happen faster. Iodide is a good leaving group because it can easily leave.
Step 5: Compare the substrates. Methyl iodide has no bulky groups (minimal steric hindrance) and has iodide as a good leaving group.
Step 6: Conclude that methyl iodide will react the fastest in an SN2 reaction because it has the least steric hindrance and a good leaving group.
