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S N 1 Reactions

S N 1 Reactions. S N 1: substitution, nucleophilic, unimolecular rate = k[substrate] Solvolysis is an S N 1 reaction in which the solvent is nucleophile. (CH 3 ) 3 CBr +CH 3 OH  (CH 3 ) 3 COCH 3 +HBr. boil. t -butyl bromide. Nuc. methyl t -butyl ether. S N 1 Reaction Mechanism.

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S N 1 Reactions

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  1. SN1 Reactions • SN1: substitution, nucleophilic, unimolecular rate = k[substrate] • Solvolysis is an SN1 reaction in which the solvent is nucleophile. (CH3)3CBr +CH3OH  (CH3)3COCH3 +HBr boil t-butyl bromide Nuc methyl t-butyl ether

  2. SN1 Reaction Mechanism • The substrate forms a carbocation intermediate. • The carbocation is planar with an empty 2p orbital available for bonding. 2p

  3. SN1 Reaction Mechanism • The carbocation intermediate quickly reacts with the nucleophile. • Attack can be from either side. +

  4. SN1 Reaction Profile rate = k[(CH3)3CBr] -EA(step 1)/RT k = Ae

  5. SN1 Reactions • SN1 reactions are exothermic. • SN1 reactions occur in at least two steps. • The first step is slow.It is the formation of the carbocation intermediate, which is a very strong electrophile. • The second step is very fast. It is the reaction of the carbocation with the nucleophile.

  6. Factors Affecting SN1 Reactions • Structure of the substrate • Can a stable carbocation be formed? • Strength of the nucleophile • Nature of the leaving group • The solvent in which the reaction is run. • Must be able to stabilize the carbocation and the LG (which is usually an ion).

  7. Factors Affecting SN1 Reactions - Structure of the Substrate • The carbocation is stabilized by any alkyl groups that are bonded to the electrophilic C atom. • inductive effect from σ bonds • hyperconjugation with p orbital • Resonance will also stabilize the carbocation. • Relative rates for SN1: 3°>2°>1°(resonance)>”1°”

  8. Stability of the Carbocation - Hyperconjugation • Alkyl groups stabilize the positive charge through hyperconjugation, a partial overlap of an sp3 orbital with the empty 2p orbital of the C atom. • The more alkyl groups bonded to the electrophilic C, the more stabilization.

  9. Stability of the Carbocation • This is the most important factor influencing the rate of SN1 reactions. • Stability: 3° > 2° >1° > methyl > > > methyl 3° 2° 1°

  10. Carbocations for SN1 • SN1 reactions only occur for 3°, 2°, allylic, and benzylic cations. benzylic* 2° 3° allylic* *The H’s can be R’s.

  11. Factors Affecting SN1 Reactions - Strength of the Nucleophile • The rate is not much affected by the nucleophile. It may be weak, moderate, or strong. • The carbocation is such a strong electrophile that any nucleophile will do.

  12. Factors Affecting SN1 Reactions - the Leaving Group • The LG should be excellent. • Review: a good LG must be • electron withdrawing, to polarize the bond and make the C atom electrophilic, • polarizable, to stabilize the transition state, and • stable in the solvent (so it cannot be a strong base). Best LGs are neutral species or anions with a stabilized charge.

  13. Factors Affecting SN1 Reactions - the Leaving Group • The leaving group (LG) serves two purposes in an SN1 reaction. These are the same as for the SN2 reaction. • It polarizes the bond that makes the C atom electrophilic. • It carries away a pair of electrons from the electrophilic C atom.

  14. Factors Affecting SN1 Reactions - Solvent Effects • The solvent must be capable of dissolving both the carbocation and the leaving group. • SN1 reactions require highly polar solvents that strongly solvate ions. • Typical solvents: water, an alcohol, acetone (to help the alkyl halide to dissolve), or a mix.

  15. Stereochemistry of the SN1 Reaction • Because the carbocation is planar, the nucleophilic attack can come from either side. -H+ -H+ • The products have more inversion, because the LG partially blocks that side.

  16. Rearrangements in SN1 Reactions • The carbocation can undergo a structural rearrangement to produce a more stable species. • hydride shift (~H) • methyl shift (~CH3) • If ionization would lead to a 1° carbocation, look for a rearrangement to occur.

  17. Mechanism of the Hydride Shift • In this case, the hydride shift occurs at the same time the Br leaves…why? CH3OH ~H -H+

  18. Mechanism of the Methyl Shift • Sometimes the rearrangement occurs as a separate step…when? CH3OH ~CH3 -H+

  19. SN1 Reactions - Summary • The structure of the carbocation is the most important factor: • Relative rates for SN1: 3°>2°>”1°”. • The nucleophile is typically weak or moderate in strength. • The LG should be excellent. • The solvent be polar and protic to stabilize the carbocation and LG. • Products will exhibit racemization and possibly rearrangements.

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