Chapter 9, Problem 9.2P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

Free energy diagrams are to be drawn for the ${\text{S}}_{\text{N}}\text{2}$ reactions of ${\text{NC}}^{-}$ and ${\text{Br}}^{-}$ with ${\text{CH}}_{\text{3}}\text{I}$. The two reactions are to be compared on the basis of the free energy diagrams.

Concept introduction:

The minimum amount of energy required by reacting molecules to reach the transition state is called the activation energy.

For nucleophilic substitution reactions, if the substrate is the same, the activation energy increases with increasing stability of the nucleophile.