Organic Chemistry/Introduction to reactions/Review of nucleophilic substitution

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Mechanism shared by S_N1 and S_N2

R-X (electrophile) + Nu- (nucleophile) -> Nu-R (product) + X- (leaving group)

Remeber, S_N1 and S_N2 are the same reaction just undergoing a different mechanism.

S_N1 quick sheet

rate-determining step is unimolecular
has carbocation intermediate
favored by tertiary carbons that can support carbocation
works better in a polar protic solvent (solvation effect)
tertiary >> secondary electrophile

S_N2 quick sheet

rate-determining step is bimolecular
no carbocation intermediate
nucleophile assists leaving group
works better in a polar aprotic solvent
methyl > primary >> secondary elecrophile
steric effects important, favoring small nucleophiles

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