How a haloalkane reacts, step by step. The SN2 and SN1 mechanisms with their rates and stereochemistry (inversion and racemisation), elimination and Saytzeff's rule, and how to decide which pathway wins. It covers the Indian syllabus (NCERT, NEET, JEE Main) and the halogenoalkane mechanisms of A-Level, IB Higher Level and AP.
3 lessons, about 1 h 25 min3 simulations10 problems5 practice questionsPython in every lesson
Shake bromoethane with aqueous potassium hydroxide and ethanol forms. A nucleophile has taken the place of the halogen. Here you learn which nucleophiles do this, and the one-step mechanism called with its rate law, its inversion and the factors that speed it up.
A tertiary halide dissolves slowly in water and gives an alcohol, and adding more nucleophile does not speed it up. The reaction goes in two steps through a carbocation. That also explains why a chiral halide gives a mixture of mirror images.
Heat a haloalkane with alcoholic potassium hydroxide and you may not get an alcohol at all. You get an alkene, because the base removes a hydrogen atom instead of replacing the halogen. This lesson shows which way a reaction goes and how to predict the main product.
Log in to join the discussion.
Loading…