DAT Destroyer org chem # 162

[s0chon02]

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How do you know if it's Sn1 or E1?

Ok, since it's a tertiary carbocation, i see it's either Sn1 or E1.
But i thought since the nucleophile was small( OH-), it woud do substitution.

Any input would be nice.. Kinda freaking out here, my DAT is tomorrow

 

[bruinguy083]

do you have the question number right?

 

[s0chon02]

do you have the question number right?

yeah, i just checked again. it's 162 on page 58. then again, the page number might be different for different versions.. i bought mine back in early june.

anybody?

 

[Mstoothlady2012]

Well, yea you are on right track. As soon as you see tertiary you should be thinking in terms of SN1 & E1. But then look at your nucleophile - KOH is a strong base. That gives away that it is elimination reaction. Whenever you are debating between substitution and elimination and you see strong base pick elimination. SN1 needs nonbasic nucleophile like HX. I see many people are getting confused with this stuff... make like notecards or a chart with all the rules for sn1, sn2, e1, and e2 then use that table everytime you are dealing with those reactions. I am sure it will clear all the doubts.

I hope this helps good luck!

How do you know if it's Sn1 or E1?

Ok, since it's a tertiary carbocation, i see it's either Sn1 or E1.
But i thought since the nucleophile was small( OH-), it woud do substitution.

Any input would be nice.. Kinda freaking out here, my DAT is tomorrow

 

[s0chon02]

Well, yea you are on right track. As soon as you see tertiary you should be thinking in terms of SN1 & E1. But then look at your nucleophile - KOH is a strong base. That gives away that it is elimination reaction. Whenever you are debating between substitution and elimination and you see strong base pick elimination. SN1 needs nonbasic nucleophile like HX. I see many people are getting confused with this stuff... make like notecards or a chart with all the rules for sn1, sn2, e1, and e2 then use that table everytime you are dealing with those reactions. I am sure it will clear all the doubts.

I hope this helps good luck![/QUOTE

That really helps, thanks a lot!!🙂