Substitution and Elimination Practice

Vocabulary flashcards for Chapter 9 on reactions of alkyl halides, focusing on substitutions and eliminations.

SN2 Reaction

A bimolecular nucleophilic substitution reaction that involves a single concerted step with the nucleophile attacking the substrate and the leaving group departing simultaneously.

Kinetic Profile of SN2

The reaction rate depends on the concentration of both the substrate and the nucleophile, leading to a second-order kinetics.

Ideal Parameters of SN2

Substrate should be primary or secondary, the nucleophile must be strong, and the leaving group should be able to stabilize a negative charge upon departure.

SN1 Reaction

A unimolecular nucleophilic substitution reaction that occurs in two steps: the formation of a carbocation intermediate followed by nucleophilic attack.

Kinetic Profile of SN1

The reaction rate depends only on the concentration of the substrate, resulting in first-order kinetics.

Ideal Parameters of SN1

Substrate should be tertiary or stabilized (allylic or benzylic), the nucleophile can be weak, and the leaving group must be stable as a leaving group.

Elimination Reaction

A reaction in which a substrate loses atoms or groups from its structure, resulting in the formation of a double bond.

E1 Mechanism

An elimination mechanism that involves the formation of a carbocation intermediate before the removal of a proton from a neighboring carbon.

E2 Mechanism

A one-step elimination process that occurs when a strong base abstracts a proton while the leaving group departs simultaneously.

Stereochemistry in Reactions

The 3D orientation of atoms in the products of chemical reactions, which can differ depending on the mechanism (SN1 or SN2).