SN1 vs SN2 Reaction Pathways

Nucleophilic substitution reactions replace a leaving group on a carbon atom with a nucleophile. A nucleophile is an electron-rich Lewis base. These reactions are a core idea in organic chemistry, and they help explain how many carbon-based compounds change.

This lesson compares the two main path...

Nucleophilic substitution is one of the most fundamental reactions used in organic synthesis.

A "nucleophile" is an electron-rich species. In a nucleophilic substitution, a nucleophile reacts with an alkyl halide to form a product with a new functional group. This reaction is the starting point for a vast array of organic syntheses.

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