Draw an energy diagram for the SN2 reaction on the previous page. Your reaction coordinate diagram should: Include structures of starting materials, products, and transition states at correct relative energies. Indicate the activation energy of the rate determining step and whether the reaction is endothermic or exothermic. What makes this reaction endothermic or exothermic?

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  1. Draw an energy diagram for the SN2 reaction on the previous page. Your reaction coordinate diagram should:
    • Include structures of starting materials, products, and transition states at correct relative energies.
    • Indicate the activation energy of the rate determining step and whether the reaction is endothermic or exothermic.
  1. What makes this reaction endothermic or exothermic?

 

**Transcription for Educational Website:**

---

**Title: Understanding SN2 Reactions**

**Introduction:**
The image displays a typical SN2 (bimolecular nucleophilic substitution) reaction. SN2 reactions are fundamental in organic chemistry, involving the substitution of one group by another in a single step.

**Reaction Overview:**
- **Reactants:**
  - A secondary alkyl chloride (2-chlorobutane). This molecule features a chlorine (Cl) atom attached to a carbon, with the remaining structure forming a butane chain with a branch at the second carbon.
  - Sodium thiolate (SNa), which represents the nucleophile. The sulfur (S) atom carries a negative charge, indicated by the presence of sodium (Na) as a counterion.

- **Reaction Mechanism:**
  The SN2 mechanism is characterized by a single reaction step with no intermediates. The nucleophile (SNa) attacks the electrophilic carbon (the one bonded to Cl) from the opposite side of the leaving group (Cl), resulting in an inversion of configuration at this carbon center. This is often referred to as a "backside attack."

**Mechanism Details:**
1. **Nucleophilic Attack:** The sulfur atom of the thiolate ion attacks the carbon atom bonded to chlorine, forming a transition state where both the S and Cl are partially bonded to the carbon.
2. **Formation of Product:** The Cl leaves as a chloride ion (Cl-), and the sulfur atom fully bonds to the carbon, completing the inversion of configuration.

**Key Concepts:**
- **Inversion of Configuration:** Due to the backside attack, the stereochemistry of the carbon center is inverted.
- **Nucleophile Strength:** A strong nucleophile, such as SNa, is necessary for the reaction to proceed efficiently.
- **Leaving Group Ability:** Cl is a good leaving group, which facilitates the substitution reaction.

**Applications:**
SN2 reactions are widely used in organic synthesis to construct complex molecules or modify existing compounds. Understanding the factors that influence the rate and outcomes of these reactions is crucial in designing synthetic pathways in pharmaceuticals and materials science. 

---

**Note:** The image lacks specific graphical elements such as reaction arrows or intermediate structures, focusing solely on the initial reactants and the described mechanism.
Transcribed Image Text:**Transcription for Educational Website:** --- **Title: Understanding SN2 Reactions** **Introduction:** The image displays a typical SN2 (bimolecular nucleophilic substitution) reaction. SN2 reactions are fundamental in organic chemistry, involving the substitution of one group by another in a single step. **Reaction Overview:** - **Reactants:** - A secondary alkyl chloride (2-chlorobutane). This molecule features a chlorine (Cl) atom attached to a carbon, with the remaining structure forming a butane chain with a branch at the second carbon. - Sodium thiolate (SNa), which represents the nucleophile. The sulfur (S) atom carries a negative charge, indicated by the presence of sodium (Na) as a counterion. - **Reaction Mechanism:** The SN2 mechanism is characterized by a single reaction step with no intermediates. The nucleophile (SNa) attacks the electrophilic carbon (the one bonded to Cl) from the opposite side of the leaving group (Cl), resulting in an inversion of configuration at this carbon center. This is often referred to as a "backside attack." **Mechanism Details:** 1. **Nucleophilic Attack:** The sulfur atom of the thiolate ion attacks the carbon atom bonded to chlorine, forming a transition state where both the S and Cl are partially bonded to the carbon. 2. **Formation of Product:** The Cl leaves as a chloride ion (Cl-), and the sulfur atom fully bonds to the carbon, completing the inversion of configuration. **Key Concepts:** - **Inversion of Configuration:** Due to the backside attack, the stereochemistry of the carbon center is inverted. - **Nucleophile Strength:** A strong nucleophile, such as SNa, is necessary for the reaction to proceed efficiently. - **Leaving Group Ability:** Cl is a good leaving group, which facilitates the substitution reaction. **Applications:** SN2 reactions are widely used in organic synthesis to construct complex molecules or modify existing compounds. Understanding the factors that influence the rate and outcomes of these reactions is crucial in designing synthetic pathways in pharmaceuticals and materials science. --- **Note:** The image lacks specific graphical elements such as reaction arrows or intermediate structures, focusing solely on the initial reactants and the described mechanism.
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Draw an energy diagram for the SN2 reaction on the previous page. Your reaction coordinate diagram should:

Include structures of starting materials, products, and transition states at correct relative energies.

Indicate the activation energy of the rate determining step and whether the reaction is endothermic or exothermic.

What makes this reaction endothermic or exothermic?

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