Organic Chemistry Mechanism Flowchart flashcards

Determining which reaction mechanism is present

Nucleophile only : primary carbon

Sn2

Nucelophile only : secondary carbon

Sn2 and Sn1

Nucleophile only : tertiary carbon

Sn1

Strong nucleophile/strong base : primary carbon

E2 (minor) , Sn2 (major)

Strong nucleophile/strong base : secondary carbon

E2 (major), Sn2 (minor)

Strong nucleophile/strong base : tertiary carbon

E2

Weak Nucleophile/ Weak base : primary carbon

Sn2, E2

Weak Nucleophile/ Weak base : Secondary carbon

Sn2, Sn1, E2, E1

Weak Nucleophile/ Weak base : tertiary carbon

Sn1, E1

Base (only): primary carbon

E2

Base (only): secondary carbon

E2

Base (only): tertiary carbon

E2

Examples of nucelophiles

SH⁻, Br⁻

Examples of strong nucleophiles/strong base

RO⁻, HO⁻

Examples of weak nucleophile/ weak base

ROH, H2O

Exmaples of base only

H⁻, DBN⁻