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7. Substitution Reactions
7. Substitution Reactions / Substitution Comparison / Problem 15

Consider the following reaction: 


1-chloro-1,3,4-trimethylcyclopentane + propan-1-ol →


Is its mechanism predominantly first order (SN1) or second order (SN2)? What is the expected substitution product? (Recall: The strength of the nucleophile (or base) usually dictates the order of the reaction. Weak nucleophiles often react by unimolecular first-order pathways, while strong nucleophiles promote bimolecular second-order reactions. Also, SN1 is unlikely with 1° halides unless they are resonance-stabilized, while SN2 is unlikely with 3° halides.)

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