Strange Kaplan question

Started by dat_student
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dat_student

dat_student

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....CH2CH3
....|........H+
Br-C-H ---->
....|........H2O
....CH3

Why is this an SN1 reaction?
I also don't quite understand why we need H+.
Anyone has any ideas?
 
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it is SN1 b/c:

Br is a weak base (good leaving group) so it leaves in step one.

Water is a polar protic solvent required for SN1

H+ is a give away for SN1 (polar protic solvent)

this has SN1 all over it!
 
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Comet208 said:
it is SN1 b/c:

Br is a weak base (good leaving group) so it leaves in step one.

Water is a polar protic solvent required for SN1

H+ is a give away for SN1 (polar protic solvent)

this has SN1 all over it!
Click to expand...

Thanks,
I didn't pay attention to the polar protic stuff
As soon as I saw it's a secondary carbon I felt it was SN2. My stupid book lists SN1 and E1 only under tertiary carbon.
 
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