Identifying a Mechanism

Select whether the following combinations of reactants will react by substitution (SN1 or SN2
mechanism), elimination (E1 or E2 mechanism) or will not react under the conditions given.
Reactants Choices

SN1 SN2
1.
E1 E2
No Reaction

SN1 SN2
2.
E1 E2
No Reaction Check Answers

SN1 SN2 (1) SN2, iodide anion is an excellent nucleophile and a very weak base.
3. (2) SN2, elimination is not possible, benzyl halides are very reactive.
E1 E2
(3) E2, methoxide anion is a strong base.
No Reaction (4) SN1, this is a tertiary halide, and water is a good ionizing solvent.
(5) SN2, cyanide anion is a good nucleophile and a weak base.
(6) No Reaction, elimination is not possible and substitution is severely
SN1 SN2 hindered.
4. (7) SN2, this is a primary halide. (some rearrangement may occur)
E1 E2
No Reaction

SN1 SN2
5.
E1 E2 Reset/Clear
No Reaction
View Answers

SN1 SN2
6. Reaction Review
E1 E2
No Reaction

SN1 SN2
7.
E1 E2
No Reaction

This script written by William Reusch, Dept. of Chemistry, Michigan State University.
Please send comments and corrections to whreusch@pilot.msu.edu.