What is the difference between SN1 and SN2? - ProProfs Discuss
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What is the difference between SN1 and SN2?

Asked by R. Jones, Last updated: Feb 10, 2024

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2 Answers

C. Bernthal

C. Bernthal

Its kind of my job to give answers

C. Bernthal
C. Bernthal, Teacher, MA, P.hD, Seattle

Answered Oct 08, 2020

When you say sn1, this is something that would usually need two steps in order to work properly. Sn2, on the other hand, is only a one-step process. Their rate of reaction will also be different from each other.

For Sn1, the rate of the reaction will depend on the substrate but for sn2, the rate of reaction will depend not only on the substrate but also on the nucleophile.

One of the most obvious differences between the two is that with sn1, there are normally different steps that have to be taken before they can work. For sn2, the process would only require one cycle and the stage will only be just one too.

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A. Samuel

A. Samuel

Writing quality content for contentment has been my passion since i was 21. I've been pursuing it as a Content Manager and Producer.

A. Samuel
A. Samuel, Content Manager, Masters in Marketing and accounting, Florida

Answered May 19, 2020

SN reactions entail several steps. It begins with the removal of the leaving group, which results in carbocation and attack by a nucleophile. The SN1 and SN2 have very little difference from each other. SN1 is non-stereo specific and depends on the substrate, while SN2 depends on a nucleophile and substrate. SN2 occurs in a non-polar solvent. SN1 reactions require several steps, while SN2 reactions only have one level.

SN1 response has a first-order dependence on nucleophiles. A carbocation is established as an immediate reaction, and this type of response typically happens in the secondary and tertiary alcohols. In SN 2 reactions, one bond is broken, and another bond is formed concurrently. This bond means the displacement of the leaving group by a nucleophile.

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