SN1 & Carbocations

Leave first, then attack

An interactive lesson with 7 steps, about 6 minutes: you predict, drag and solve, with instant feedback on every answer. It runs in your browser and needs JavaScript.

What you’ll learn

• SN1: leaving group leaves (slow), then nucleophile attacks.
• Rate = k[RX]; carbocation stability tertiary > secondary > primary > methyl.
• Flat carbocation → racemic product.

Steps

1. Two steps
2. Step 1: the bromide leaves
3. Step 2: water attacks
4. Two hills to climb
5. Carbocation stability
6. Flat in the middle
7. Which mechanism?