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GRRRRRRR evil organic strikes again ;\?

Soooo wht is SN1, E1, SN2, E2???? I still have some reading to do, BUT can someone plz explain the BIG pic here and how you can tell one from another or like how to use it in problems?!? IDK, ANYTHING on this would be of great help! Thanks A LOT!!

1 Answer

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    Lv 4
    1 decade ago
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    SN1 is a unimolecular nucleophilic substitution reaction. They typically have 2 or more steps involving a carbocation intermediate which is attacked by a nucelophile.

    SN2 is a bimolecular nucleophilic substitution reaction. It is a one-step reaction that involves a backside attack of the nucleophile on the electrophile and a stereochemical inversion.

    E1 is a unimolecular elimination reaction. It involves formation of a carbocation followed by deprotonation.

    E2 is a bimolecular elimination, in which the leaving group departs at the same time as the deprotonation.

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