Which mechanism is likely to occur when 2-bromo-2-methylpropane reacts with a strong nucleophile?

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Q: Which mechanism is likely to occur when 2-bromo-2-methylpropane reacts with a strong nucleophile?

Solution: The reaction will proceed via the SN1 mechanism due to the tertiary carbon, which stabilizes the carbocation intermediate.

Steps: 6

Step 1: Identify the structure of 2-bromo-2-methylpropane. It has a bromine atom attached to a carbon that is connected to three other carbon atoms (tertiary carbon).
Step 2: Understand what a nucleophile is. A nucleophile is a species that donates an electron pair to form a chemical bond.
Step 3: Recognize that strong nucleophiles can react with alkyl halides (like 2-bromo-2-methylpropane).
Step 4: Determine the type of carbon in 2-bromo-2-methylpropane. Since it is a tertiary carbon, it can stabilize a carbocation (a positively charged carbon).
Step 5: Recall the two main mechanisms for nucleophilic substitution: SN1 and SN2. SN1 involves a two-step process with a carbocation intermediate, while SN2 involves a one-step process with a direct attack by the nucleophile.
Step 6: Conclude that the reaction will proceed via the SN1 mechanism because the tertiary carbon can stabilize the carbocation formed in the first step of the SN1 process.