Question

What are SN1 and SN2 reactions?

Answer 1

SN2 and SN1 reactions are types of nucleophilic substitution reaction that often involve substitution of one nucleophile (such as OH) by another nucleophile.

Explanation:

SN2 (substitution, nucleophilic, bimolecular) takes place in a single step without intermediates when a nucleophile reacts with the substrate(e.g. alkyl halide) from a direction opposite opposite to the leaving group.

SN1 (substitution, nucleophilic, unimolecular) is a first-order step, where the concentration of the nucleophile does not affect/appear in the rate-limiting step.