Chapter 7, Problem 96IP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation: The mechanism of a given chemical transformation is to be interpreted.

Concept introduction: A multistep reaction can occur in more than one step. Out of all steps, one step must be the rate-determining step that will determine the rate of reaction as it is the slow step. Haloalkane tends to undergo nucleophilic substitution reactions via two different reaction mechanisms; ${\text{S}}_{\text{N}}\text{1}$ and ${\text{S}}_{\text{N}}\text{2}$ mechanism. The ${\text{S}}_{\text{N}}\text{1}$ mechanism involves the loss of leaving group and the attack of nucleophiles in separate steps with the formation of carbocation as an intermediate.