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.