wiz-icon
MyQuestionIcon
MyQuestionIcon
1
You visited us 1 times! Enjoying our articles? Unlock Full Access!
Question

Explain SN1 and SN2 reactions.

Open in App
Solution

(1) SN1 reaction:
Consider the alkaline hydrolysis of tert butyl bromide to give tert butanol.
CH3C(CH3)2Br+NaOHΔCH3C(CH3)2OH+NaBr
The rate of the reaction is proportional to the concentration of tert butyl bromide only and is independent of the concentration of hydroxide ion.
Rate =K[CH3C(CH3)2Br]
The order of the reaction is 1. In the rate determining step, carbon to Br bond breaking is followed by the carbon to hydroxide ion bond formation. Hence, the reaction is unimolecular as only tert butyl bromide is involved in the rate determining step.
Thus SN1 reaction is unimolecular nucleophilic substitution reaction.
(2) SN2 reaction
Consider the alkaline hydrolysis of methyl bromide to give methanol.
CH3Br+NaOHΔCH3OH+NaBr
The rate of the reaction is proportional to the concentration of methyl bromide as well as the concentration of hydroxide ion.
Rate =K[CH3Br][OH]
The order of the reaction is 2. In the rate determining step, the carbon to hydroxide ion bond formation and carbon to Br bond breaking are simultaneous processes. Hence, the reaction is bimolecular as both methyl bromide and NaOH are involved in the rate determining step.
Thus SN2 reaction is bimolecular nucleophilic substitution reaction.

flag
Suggest Corrections
thumbs-up
2
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
similar_icon
Related Videos
thumbnail
lock
SN1 Mechanism
CHEMISTRY
Watch in App
Join BYJU'S Learning Program
CrossIcon