Alkyl Halides: Reactions Overview

Alkyl halides are basically just carbon chains with a halogen attached, and they undergo

two main reaction types. First is nucleophilic substitution, where a nucleophile

kicks out the halogen and takes its place on the carbon. You've got SN2, which is one step,

back side attack, and works best with primary carbons. Then there's SN1, which is two steps,

forms a carbocation intermediate, and prefers tertiary carbons because they're more stable.

The second reaction type is elimination, where you lose the halogen and a hydrogen to form a double

bond. E2 is one step, needs a strong base, and happens with secondary or tertiary

halides. E1 is two steps, forms that carbocation again, and competes with