Moderate

During SN2 mechanism of alkyl halides C- X bond undergoes:

Correct answer: B. Heterolytic cleavage

  • A. Homolytic cleavage
  • B. Heterolytic cleavage
  • C. Sometimes homolytic, sometimes heterolytic
  • D. C-X bond is not cleaved in SN2 reactions

Explanation

In the SN2 (substitution nucleophilic bimolecular) mechanism of alkyl halides, the carbon-halogen (C-X) bond undergoes heterolytic cleavage, not homolytic cleavage. The nucleophile attacks the substrate, leading to a concerted reaction where a new bond is formed between the nucleophile and the carbon while the bond between the carbon and the leaving group (X) breaks with both electrons going to the leaving group. This results in the formation of a new C-Nucleophile bond and the departure of the leaving group. The process involves a transition state where the nucleophile and the leaving group are both partially bonded to the carbon atom.

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About Alkyl Halides

Alkyl halides are named and related to their carbon-halogen structure, polarity and reactivity. The key reactions are nucleophilic substitution by SN1 and SN2 mechanisms and elimination by E1 and E2 mechanisms, including how substrate structure, nucleophile, base, solvent and temperature influence substitution versus elimination.

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