Aliphatic Nucleophilic Substitution and Elimination Reactions: A Mechanistic and Computational Perspective

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive review of aliphatic nucleophilic substitution (SN1 and SN2) and elimination (E1 and E2) reactions. It delves into the fundamental mechanistic principles governing these transformations, including kinetics, stereochemistry, and the factors influencing reaction pathways. The interplay between substitution and elimination is explored, highlighting the roles of substrate structure, nucleophile/base strength, solvent effects, and temperature. Furthermore, this work examines recent advancements in computational chemistry and artificial intelligence (AI) that are revolutionizing our ability to predict and understand these complex reactions.