SN2 - Nucleophilic Substitution, Bimolecular

 

In the SN2 reaction, the nucleophile attacks the carbon with the leaving group from the backside. As the reaction proceeds, the bond to the leaving group is broken and a new bond between the carbon and the nucleophile forms simultaneously. The stereochemistry around the carbon is inverted in the course of the reaction. Larger groups around the carbon with the leaving group slow down the reaction due to steric hindrance.


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