How will the rate of each of the following S_N2 reactions change if it is carried out in a more polar solvent?
b.

Practice your electron-pushing skills by drawing a mechanism for the following S_N2 reactions.

(c)

For each pair, choose the nucleophile that would react most quickly in an S_N2 reaction (assume H₂O is the solvent).

(c)

For each pair, choose the haloalkane that would react most quickly in an S_N2 reaction.

(c)

In which solvent—ethanol or diethyl ether—would the equilibrium for the following S_N2 reaction lie farther to the right?

How will the rate of each of the following S_N2 reactions change if it is carried out in a more polar solvent?

c.

Show all the products, including their configurations, that are obtained from the above reaction.

You were told in [SECTION 7.11] that is best to use a methyl halide or a primary alkyl halide for the reaction of an acetylide ion with an alkyl halide. Explain why this is so.

Would you expect acetate ion (CH₃CO₂⁻) to be a better nucleophile in an S_N2 reaction with an alkyl halide carried out in methanol or in dimethyl sulfoxide?