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MolSynapse / Question bank / Organic Reaction Mechanisms III: Nucleophilic Substitution / SN1 vs SN2: substrate, nucleophile, solvent, leaving group
NEET levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 1 of 3o3004

Which of the following halides is least able to undergo an SN1 reaction?

  1. A
  2. B
  3. C
  4. D

Answer: B

SN1 needs a carbocation to form on ionisation. Ionisation of vinyl chloride would give a vinyl cation (sp hybridised carbon, positive charge on a vinylic carbon), which is very unstable; in addition the C-Cl bond is shortened by partial double-bond character. The other three give tertiary or triaryl-stabilised cations.
Practice Organic Reaction Mechanisms III: Nucleophilic Substitution More on SN1 vs SN2: substrate, nucleophile, solvent, leaving group

More questions on SN1 vs SN2: substrate, nucleophile, solvent, leaving group