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
McMaster AToronto A10101030HME
McMaster BGuelph A001010E
McMaster CQueen's A1001020HE
Toronto DToronto B1001020HE
Toronto GWaterloo C001010E
Toronto HToronto F1001020HE
Toronto IBrock A001010E
Waterloo AToronto C1001020HE
Waterloo BToronto E10101030HME

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%