Which alkyl halide out of the following may follow both SN1 and SN2 mechanism ?
Correct answer: C. (CH3)2 CH - X
- A. CH3-X
- B. (CH3)3 C-CH2 - X
- C. (CH3)2 CH - X
- D. (CH3)3 C - X
Explanation
A secondary alkyl halide has enough substitution to form a carbocation under SN1 conditions but is not so crowded that SN2 attack is impossible, so it can follow either mechanism. Methyl halides favour SN2, while tertiary halides strongly favour SN1. Students may choose the tertiary halide because it forms the most stable carbocation, overlooking its severe hindrance to SN2.
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About Nucleophilic Substitution
Nucleophilic substitution replaces a leaving group in an alkyl halide when an electron-rich nucleophile attacks the carbon atom. The topic compares SN1 and SN2 mechanisms, including reaction conditions, substrate structure, solvent effects, nucleophile strength, carbocation formation and stereochemical changes, and distinguishes substitution from elimination.
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