Question

Why does sn2 reaction take place with stereochemical inversion?

Answer 1

SN2 reaction takes place in a concerted (single step)manner.Unlike SN1, here leaving group is still intact with the substrate so nucleophile can not attack from the same side as the leaving group. Hence  nucleophile attacks the substrate from the opposite side of the leaving group leading to  "Walden inversion"  at chiral centre.

Tertiary halides never reacts in a  SN2 manner because site of attack is sterically hindered.

OR

The reactions which take place through SN2 mechanism undergo inversion because in SN2 mechanism the substrate undergo a transition state in which it leaves the leaving group and attaches to the attacking nucleophile , simultaneously and hence due to steric hindrance the leaving group and the nucleophile can not leave and attach , respectively f

Answer 2

Answer:

Explanation:

SN2 reaction takes place in a concerted (single step)manner.Unlike SN1, here leaving group is still intact with the substrate so nucleophile can not attack from the same side as the leaving group. Hence  nucleophile attacks the substrate from the opposite side of the leaving group leading to  "Walden inversion"  at chiral centre.

Tertiary halides never reacts in a  SN2 manner because site of attack is sterically hindered.

OR

The reactions which take place through SN2 mechanism undergo inversion because in SN2 mechanism the substrate undergo a transition state in which it leaves the leaving group and attaches to the attacking nucleophile , simultaneously and hence due to steric hindrance the leaving group and the nucleophile can not leave and attach , respectively f