Name: Tuba Ahmed

BS III Year
The SN2 Reaction

Substitution

Nucleophilic
Bimolecular
 A reagent which can donate an electron pair in
a reaction is called nucleophile.
 The name of nucleophile means nucleous
loving and indicates that it attacks regions of
low electron density in the substrate molecule.
 A nucleophile can be represented by a general
symbol: Nu
 Electron rich molecules.
 Examples:
 Cl ,Br , I ,CN ,OH ,RCH ,NH3 ,
 Nucleophilic substitution is a fundamental
class of substitution reaction in which an
“electron rich”nucleophile selectively bonds
with or attacks the positive or “partially
positive” charge of an atom attached to a group
or atom called the leaving group
 Bimolecular: A bimolecular reaction is one
whose rate depends on the concentration of
two of its reactants.
 SN2 reaction happen in one step --- the
nucleophile attacks the substrate as the leaving
group leaves the substrate.
•Nucleophile back –side attacks the partial positive
carbon center.
•Both reactant are involved in the transition state of
the rate determining step.
•Leaving group leaves, from final product.
 Single step reaction.
 Rate is dependent on concentration and strength of
Nucleophile.
 It is a second order reaction.
 Transition state is formed which is sp² hybridized,
planar structure. (Not sp³d as Carbon doesn't have d
orbital.)
 No carbocation intermediate formation.
 Leaving group should be strong i.e. weak base.
 Rate of reaction 1° > 2° > 3° substrates.
 Rate of reaction is inversely proportional to
bulkiness of groups attached to C atom. [CH3Cl >
CH3CH2Cl > CH3CH(CH3)Cl > CH3C(CH3)²Cl]
 Rate of reaction 1° > 2° > 3° substrates.