Chapter 7: Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions

With the foundations that have been built on the basic concepts in Organic Chemistry, we are now ready to learn about organic reactions. Organic reactions are mainly about the transformation of one functional group to the other, which aims to introduce a new functional group into the product. As the reactivity center of a compound, a functional group has unique properties and undergoes certain types of reactions. We will explore the specific rules that govern the reactivity of each functional group and learn why different functional groups show different reactivities. In this chapter, we will start with the substitution reaction of alkyl halide and in the next chapter, the elimination reaction. 

Learning Objectives for Chapters 7 and 8

• Understand, explain, and show the mechanism of nucleophilic substitution and elimination reaction, including intermediates, transition state, reaction coordination diagram, and extra add up to the basic mechanism. Be able to use the proper terms and curved arrows to show and explain the SN1, SN2, E1, E2 mechanisms.
• Predict the major/minor products of a given reaction with certain reactants, reagents and reaction conditions.
• Be able to compare the relative reactivity of different substrates, and the effects of different factors on each reaction mechanism, such as nucleophiles, leaving group and solvent.
• Apply and draw the proper reaction mechanism to explain or predict the product(s) of reactions, including the stereochemistry of the product.
• Provide the proper reaction conditions in order to prepare a particular product.