SN1 reaction

Definition

An SN1 reaction is a two-step nucleophilic substitution process in organic chemistry where the bond between the carbon and leaving group breaks before the nucleophile adds to the carbocation intermediate. It typically occurs with tertiary alkyl halides or molecules that can stabilize a positive charge well.

Related terms

Carbocation: A positively charged carbon ion that serves as an intermediate in many organic reactions, including SN1 processes.

Nucleophile: A chemical species that donates an electron pair to an electrophile to form a chemical bond in reaction mechanisms.

Leaving Group: A molecular fragment that departs with a pair of electrons in substitution and elimination reactions, making room for the incoming nucleophile