A substitution reaction is a chemical reaction where an atom or group of atoms in a molecule is replaced by another atom or group of atoms. It is common in organic chemistry, especially involving halogenated compounds.
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Substitution reactions can be classified into nucleophilic and electrophilic types based on the nature of the substituting species.
In a nucleophilic substitution reaction, a nucleophile replaces a leaving group in the molecule.
Electrophilic substitution reactions typically occur with aromatic compounds, where an electrophile replaces a hydrogen atom.
The rate of substitution reactions can be influenced by factors such as the nature of the leaving group, solvent, and temperature.
Common examples include the S_N1 and S_N2 mechanisms for nucleophilic substitutions.
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Related terms
Nucleophile: A chemical species that donates an electron pair to form a chemical bond in relation to a reaction.
Leaving Group: An atom or group that can be readily displaced as stable species during a chemical reaction.
S_N2 Mechanism: $$S_N2$$ (bimolecular nucleophilic substitution) involves simultaneous bond formation and bond breaking in one step.