SN1 Mechanism: Transition State, Energy Diagram, and Stereochemistry

Master the SN1 mechanism with a step-by-step scrubber, carbocation rearrangements, and stereochemistry (racemization). Practice exam-style questions with the AI tutor.

• Key idea: Rate depends on substrate (carbocation stability), not nucleophile strength.
• Typical substrates: 3° alkyl halides, allylic/benzylic halides; 2° sometimes
• Typical nucleophile: Weak/neutral nucleophiles (H2O, ROH)
• Typical solvent: Polar protic (H2O, ROH)
• Key intermediate: Carbocation (may rearrange)
• Exam type: Choose the mechanism
• Exam type: Predict the major product
• Exam type: Stereochemistry