12. The effects of the solvent
12. The effects of the solvent
- James KeelerJames KeelerDepartment of Chemistry and Fellow of Selwyn College, Cambridge
- and Peter WothersPeter WothersDepartment of Chemistry and Fellow of St Catharine’s College, Cambridge
Abstract
This chapter focuses on the effects of the solvent. It regards solvent as a crucial component of reactions while referencing the reaction of t–butyl chloride. The rate of formation of either the substitution or elimination product depends only on the rate of the initial step. The chapter highlights the importance of the solvent being a result of the solubility of one substance in another. It lists different types of solvent as they are classified through their polarity and relative permittivity. Types of solvents include hydrogen bonds, protic solvents, and aprotic solvents. Additionally, the chapter examines the solvating of different ions, acid strengths, and the role of solvents while noting the impact of solvents on the rate of reactions.
