Question

how to determine if you have successfully synthesized the desired product in an sn2 reaction

Answer 1

Hi you have not mentioned exact reactant and product, so i am going to describe general techniques which will gives you to identify them seperately.

sn2 reactions always leads to the formation product with inversion of configuration, also called as walden inversion.

1. By Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) with different polar-nonpolar solvent ration, the Rf values will be different for reactant and product. This is first step to conirm the reaction mixture does not contain reactant, but it does not mean that you have a correct product.

2. Running 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectrum for both reactant and product will give you different splitting pattern and further two-dimensional NMR analysis confirms your product.

3. Running mass spectra for both reactant and product will give you different splitting pattern and by analyzing the m/z values gives a confirmation.

4. If your product can be crystallized the an ultimate technique is X-ray crystallography.

5. Chemical methods made you loss of product if you have lesser amount of product, not recommended.

6. Using GC-HPLC chromatographic techinique is also very good choice.

7. Acquire IR spectrum both reactant and product that will give you different spectra to identify functional groups.

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