Chapter 6, Problem 39P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The effect of increasing solvent polarity on the rate of each of the given nucleophilic substitution reaction is to be determined.

Concept introduction:

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.

Substitution reaction: A reaction in which one of the hydrogen atoms of a hydrocarbon or a functional group is substituted by any other functional group is called substitution reaction.

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.

An ${\text{S}}_{\text{N}}\text{2}$ reaction is the nucleophilic substitution reaction in which two components are involved in the rate determining step. ${\text{S}}_{\text{N}}\text{2}$ reaction occurs in one step.

An ${\text{S}}_{\text{N}}1$ reaction is the nucleophilic substitution reaction in which one component is involved in the rate determining step. ${\text{S}}_{\text{N}}1$ reaction occurs in two step.