Nucleophilic Substitution Mechanism Identification

Hard Organic Chemistry Nucleophilic Substitution And Elimination Reactions

Nucleophilic substitution reactions are key mechanisms in organic chemistry that involve the exchange of a nucleophile with a leaving group. A classic example is the conversion of an alkyl halide to an alcohol via substitution with a hydroxide ion. Consider the following reaction:

Chemical structure of an alkyl halide.

Which of the following statements accurately describes the primary mechanism through which this reaction proceeds?

The reaction proceeds via an SN1 mechanism where carbocation formation is the rate-determining step.

The reaction proceeds via an SN2 mechanism, which involves a backside attack by the nucleophile.

The reaction involves E1 elimination prior to substitution.

The substitution occurs through a concerted mechanism involving a cyclic transition state.

Hint

Submitted9.5K

Correct6.8K

% Correct72%