Chapter 6, Problem 18PP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The reactivity toward ${\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}{\text{O}}^{-}$ in an ${\text{S}}_{\text{N}}2$ reaction is to be classified in decreasing order for the given compounds.

Concept introduction:

In organic chemistry, nucleophilic substitution consists of bimolecular reaction, which is a one-step mechanism, and carbocation will not form, thus this type of reaction is known as ${\text{S}}_{\text{N}}2$ reaction.

A chemical species that has the tendency to donate an electron pair to an electrophile in order to form a chemical bond is known as nucleophile.

Electrophiles are electron-deficient species, which has positive or partially positive charge. Lewis acids are electrophiles, which accept electron pair.

Nucleophiles are electron-rich species, which has negative or partially negative charge. Lewis bases are nucleophiles, which donate electron pair.

Nucleophilic substitution reaction is a reaction in which an electron-rich nucleophile attacks the positive or partial positive charge of an atom or a group of atoms to replace a leaving group.

The reactivity depends on the electronegative atoms and halogen atoms in ${\text{S}}_{\text{N}}2$ reaction.

Strong electronegative atoms are considered strong nucleophiles, which make the favorable condition for ${\text{S}}_{\text{N}}2$ reaction.