Why are there "S"_N1 and "S"_N2 reactions?

1 Answer
anor277
Feb 7, 2017

You might as well ask, "why are there Ford and General Motors?"

Explanation:

S_(N)1 and S_(N)2 reactions differ on the basis of mechanism. For an S_(N)1 reaction, "bond breaking" is the rate determining step, and the reaction is conceived to proceed thru the intermediacy of a carbocation. On the other hand, for S_(N)2 reactions, bond making is the rate determining step, and the reaction proceeds thru a concerted mechanism in which the geometry of the substrate undergoes inversion upon bond-making. All of this will be explained much better in your organic text.

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