Which of the following mechanisms feature carbocation intermediates: SN1 only, SN2 only, E1 only, E2 only or both SN1 and E1?

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Answer 1 · 2015-05-20T19:05:38

Both $"S"_"N"1$ and $"E1"$ reactions feature carbocation intermediates.

The first step in both reactions is the same: departure of the leaving group to form an intermediate carbocation.

This is the rate determining step. It is a unimolecular reaction, and that accounts for the " $1$ " in the names $"S"_"N"1$ and $"E1"$ .

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$"S"_"N"1 "$ Reaction

If the nucleophile attacks and bonds to the cationic carbon atom, we have a nucleophilic substitution ( $"S"_"N"$ ) reaction.

$"E"1$ Reaction

If, instead, a base attacks the β hydrogen to form an alkene, we have an elimination ( $"E1"$ ) reaction.