Understanding SN2 Reactions

SN2 reactions are molecular sneak attacks — one hit, one step, and it’s over.

SN2 reactions are all about speed and precision. SN2 literally means Substitution,

Nucleophilic, Bimolecular. Here’s the core idea: A nucleophile attacks

the carbon from the backside while the leaving group leaves — at the same time.

No intermediates. Just one clean, concerted step. Because of that, reaction rate depends

on TWO things: the nucleophile and the substrate. Small, strong nucleophiles

work best — like OH⁻, CN⁻, or I⁻. And the less crowded

the carbon, the faster the attack. That’s why SN2 loves methyl and primary carbons,