In: Chemistry
How can you tell if a mechanism will likely be Sn1, Sn2, E1, E2, E1cb? (explain it to me like I am 5) thanks....
First of all it is a tedious thing to explain all at once here. I will try my level best guy
In SN1 & SN2, only one atom or group is replaced by another means that Substitution occurs at sp3 carbon majorly while in E1&E2, E1CB, elimination of groups will occur means that saturated compound gets converted into unsaturated compound.
Generally alkyl halide are good substrates for Nucleophilic Substitution reactions and 3°-RX halides always undergoes SN1 while 1° & 2°- RX will always SN2 and similar trend is observed with Elimination.
Whenever leaving group is beta to the EWG , then we will expect E1CB reaction. Ex: aldol condensation (dehydration of aldol)
Important things are both SN1 & E1 are two step process with the formation of carbocation as intermediate in the first step while SN2 & E2 are single step mechanisms with out any intermediate.
Polar protic solvent favors SN1 & E1 while polar aprotic solvents favor SN2 & E2 reactions.