Which of the following is a likely mechanism for the reaction CH3Cl + OH- ----> CH3OH + Cl-, which is first order with respec
t to each of the reactants? A one-step mechanism involving a transition state that contains two hydroxide ions "attached" to the carbon atom of CH3Cl A one-step mechanism involving a transition state that has a carbon partially bonded to both chlorine and oxygen A two-step mechanism in which the chlorine leaves CH3Cl in a slow step, followed by rapid attack of the intermediate by the hydroxide ion A two-step mechanism in which the chlorine leaves CH3Cl in a rapid step, followed by the slow attack of the intermediate by the hydroxide ion
A one-step mechanism involving a transition state that has a carbon partially bonded to both chlorine and oxygen
Explanation:
The compound CH3Cl is methyl chloride. This is a nucleophilic substitution reaction that proceeds by an SN2 mechanism. The SN2 mechanism is a concerted reaction mechanism. This means that the departure of the leaving group is assisted by the incoming nucleophile. The both species are partially bonded to opposite sides of the carbon atom in the transition state.
Recall that an SN2 reaction is driven by the attraction between the negative charge of the nucleophile (OH^-) and the positive charge of the electrophile (the partial positive charge on the carbon atom bearing the chlorine leaving group).
