Which of the following solvents would best facilitate an SN2 substitution reaction?
Correct answer: C. Dimethylflormamide
- A. Water
- B. Hexane
- C. Dimethylflormamide
- D. Ethanol
Explanation
SN2 reactions are fastest in polar aprotic solvents because these solvents dissolve ions without strongly solvating and slowing the nucleophile; dimethylformamide is polar aprotic. Students may choose water or ethanol because they are polar, but both are protic solvents that hydrogen-bond strongly to nucleophiles.
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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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