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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
SN2 Reaction Mechanism
The SN2 (substitution nucleophilic bimolecular) reaction is a type of nucleophilic substitution where the nucleophile attacks the electrophile simultaneously as the leaving group departs. This concerted mechanism results in a single transition state and is characterized by a backside attack, leading to inversion of configuration at the carbon center. The rate of the reaction depends on both the concentration of the nucleophile and the substrate.
Steric hindrance refers to the prevention of reactions due to the spatial arrangement of atoms within a molecule. In SN2 reactions, bulky groups around the electrophilic carbon can hinder the approach of the nucleophile, thus decreasing reactivity. Compounds with less steric hindrance, such as methyl halides, are more reactive in SN2 reactions compared to tertiary halides, which are significantly less reactive due to steric crowding.
The ability of a leaving group to depart from a substrate is crucial in determining the reactivity of compounds in nucleophilic substitution reactions. Good leaving groups, such as iodide and bromide, stabilize the negative charge after leaving, facilitating the reaction. In contrast, poor leaving groups, like chloride, are less favorable, making the substrate less reactive in SN2 reactions.