Consider the reaction of #(CH_3)_3CO^-# with iodomethane. Will the reaction rate increase, decrease, or remain the same if the concentration of iodomethane is increased?

1 Answer
Jan 4, 2015

The reaction rate will increase if the concentration of iodomethane is increased.

The t-butoxide ion is a powerful nucleophile, and the substrate is a methyl halide.

The reaction is an #"S"_"N"2# substitution.

www.chem.ucla.edu

The rate law for an #"S"_"N"2# substitution is

rate = #k[t"-BuO"^-]["CH"_3"I"]#

If the concentration of CH₃I increases, the reaction rate increases.

Here's a video on #"S"_"N"2# reaction rates.