Question

Sn2 nucleophilic substitution and Sn1. which is faster?

Answer 1

i think it is SN2 reaction !!!! where there is no formation of any stable carbocation and it is one step reaction !!!!where as SN1 reaction takes by carbocation mechanism !!!it goes by two intermediate step!!!hence will be slower!!!!

Answer 2

cool, thats explain alot! haha, i could tell my friend then.

Answer 3

not only this it also depends on the stability of carbocation and solvent in both SN1 and SN2 reaction!!!

Answer 4

i see

Answer 5

I think, it depends more on the nature of the medium and on the concentration of the nucleophile! Hence there is no clear distinction whether Sn1 is faster of Sn2.

Answer 6

You can't tell which is faster unless substrate,reagent and medium are known. Eg., If you take (CH3)3CCl (ions are stable) carbocation can be formed as it is 3 degree so it tends to proceed via SN1 and hence its rate is faster if you take CH3Cl is is SN2 as it 1 degree carbocation unstable and the carbon is unhindered so here SN2 is faster.