The reaction of what nucleophile and substrate is represented by the following transition state?
A)Methanol with 2-bromopropane
B)Methoxide with 2-bromopropane
C)Methoxide with 1-bromopropane
D)Methanol with 1-bromopropane

Question

The reaction of what nucleophile and substrate is represented by the following transition state? 
A)Methanol with 2-bromopropane 
B)Methoxide with 2-bromopropane 
C)Methoxide with 1-bromopropane 
D)Methanol with 1-bromopropane

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The transition state represents an SN2 (substitution nucleophilic bimolecular) reaction, in which the nucleophile attacks the carbon atom bearing the leaving group. The most likely nucleophile for this type of reaction is a negatively charged species, such as a methoxide ion (CH3O-). The substrate in this case is 2-bromopropane, which has a primary carbon atom (one carbon attached to the carbon bearing the leaving group). Methanol and 1-bromopropane would not form the same transition state because they have different substrates or nucleophiles.

The Reaction of What Nucleophile and Substrate Is Represented by the Following