A student ran two separate substitution reactions, Reaction A and Reaction B, in
ID: 1059001 • Letter: A
Question
A student ran two separate substitution reactions, Reaction A and Reaction B, in lab that utilized an alkyl halide and a nucleophile. However, he did not know if the reactions proceeded through an SN1 or SN2 mechanism. To determine the mechanism for both reactions, the student increased the concentration of the nucleophile in Reactions A and B. The rate of reaction for Reaction A increased. The rate of reaction for Reaction B remained the same. Show all work and mechanisms.
(a) Which reaction is the SN1 reaction? (1 pt)
(b) Which reaction is the SN2 reaction? (1 pt)
(c) Explain both of your choices. (4 pts)
Explanation / Answer
a)
Reaction B follows SN1
b)
Reaction A follows SN2
c)
in SN1 reaction, rate depends only on concentration of substrate.
this is why there is "1" after SN which means order 1
rate = k [substrate]
in SN2 reaction, rate depends on concentration of substrate as well as nucleophile.
this is why there is "2" after SN which means order 2
rate = k [substrate] [ nucleophile]
so rate will be affected by concentration of nucleophile only in the case of SN2 reaction
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