Substitution reactions at a saturated carbon atom are typified by the reaction of halogeno-alkanes with aqueous base to produce alcohols. Monumental work has been done and revealed two types of kinetic behaviour. These types are designated SN1 and SN2.
(a) Outline the key differences between these two reaction mechanisms in terms of:
(i) the structure of the starting halogeno-alkanes
(ii) reaction intermediates and transition states
(iii) Reaction mechanisms and the rate equations
have no idea?