Packet 8: Bonus 13

This reaction mechanism occurs with an alkoxide ion and a primary alkyl halide in the Williamson ether synthesis. For 10 points each:
[10h] Identify this concerted reaction mechanism. A backside attack in this reaction mechanism results in a complete Walden inversion of stereochemistry.
ANSWER: SN2 [or bimolecular nucleophilic substitutions; prompt on SN or nucleophilic substitutions; reject “SN1” or “unimolecular nucleophilic substitutions”]
[10m] SN2 reactions are faster when performed with aprotic varieties of these molecules, such as acetonitrile or DMSO, since they shield the nucleophile less.
ANSWER: solvents [or aprotic solvents]
[10e] SN2 reaction rates also increase with the strength of the nucleophile, which is closely related to this property. Solutions with this property have a pH greater than 7.
ANSWER: basic [or alkaline; accept word forms like basicity or bases; accept word forms like alkali]
<Editors, Chemistry> | Packet H

EditionsHeardPPBEasy %Medium %Hard %
213218.3399%44%41%

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Conversion

TeamOpponentPart 1Part 2Part 3TotalParts
Claremont AUCLA B10101030HME
Claremont CUSC B001010E
UC IrvineUCLA E10101030HME
UC Santa BarbaraUCLA F001010E
UCLA DUCSD B10101030HME
UCSD AUCLA A10101030HME
USC AClaremont B001010E

Summary

TournamentEditionExact Match?HeardPPBEasy %Medium %Hard %
UK (North)UKY522.00100%60%60%
UK (South)UKY818.7588%63%38%
Northern CaliforniaUSY425.00100%75%75%
Southern CaliforniaUSY721.43100%57%57%
Eastern Canada (1)USY524.00100%80%60%
Eastern Canada (2)USY918.89100%22%67%
FloridaUSY412.50100%0%25%
Great LakesUSY1120.00100%46%55%
Lower Mid-AtlanticUSY922.22100%67%56%
Upper Mid-AtlanticUSY1219.1792%50%50%
MidwestUSY914.44100%33%11%
NorthUSY415.00100%25%25%
NortheastUSY1216.67100%33%33%
PacificUSY822.50100%63%63%
South CentralUSY715.71100%43%14%
SoutheastUSY1314.62100%31%15%
Upstate NYUSY510.00100%0%0%