20.3 - Nucleophilic substitution reactions

20.3.1: Distinguish between primary, secondary and tertiary halogenoalkanes .

20.3.2: Describe and explain the SN1 and SN2 mechanisms in nucleophilic substitution. Students must be able to draw a stepwise mechanism. Examples of nucleophiles should include -CN, -OH and NH3 for each reaction type.

20.3.3: Describe and explain the molecularity for the SN1 and SN2 mechanisms . The predominant mechanism for tertiary halogenoalkanes is SN1 and for primary halogenoalkanes it is SN2. Both mechanisms occur for secondary halogenoalkanes.

20.3.4: Describe how the rate of nucleophilic substitution in halogenoalkanes depends on both the identity of the halogen and whether the halogenoalkane is primary, secondary or tertiary.

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