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Chemistry Forums for Students => Organic Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: daddy2008 on November 01, 2009, 02:26:14 PM

Title: Why does 1-chlorobutane react in an SN1 reaction?
Post by: daddy2008 on November 01, 2009, 02:26:14 PM

In a lab experiment I had 1-chlorobutane react with AGNO3 in ethanol and get a precipitate.  Since this is a primary substrate I do not understand how it could have reacted at all in an SN1 reaction ???  I also got it to react in acetone with NaI which I understand and presumed that it would - but why and how could it have reacted with an SN1?  Thank You in advance :D

Title: Re: Why does 1-chlorobutane react in an SN1 reaction?
Post by: Dan on November 01, 2009, 06:26:39 PM

How do you know it reacted by an S_N1 pathway?

The silver is the key... The reaction with NaI in acetone was certainly not S_N1.