SN2 Pre-lab questions Note that the general mechanism for an SN2 reaction involves stereochemistry. What happens to the substrate's stereochemistry during an SN2 reaction? 1. 331L NUCLEOPHILIC SUBSTITUTIONS How might steric hinderance in the substrates play a role in stabilizing or destabilizing the transition state? (hint: sp2 hybridized carbons sterically prevent nucleophilic attack.) How readily do you predict the reactants in our experiment will react in the SN2 reaction? 2. Form a table for the SN2 reactions described in Today's Experiment below, consisting of a column for your predictions (you can useand for reaction/no reaction) and an empty column for your results whern you get them. Your results should include details such as how long it took before precipitate formed. The rate-determining step also involves the nucleophile. What is the nucleophile in the given SN2 reactions? Why does this nucleophile favor an SN2 reaction? Polar aprotic solvents favor SN2 reactions. Why is acetone considered a "polar aprotic" solvent? 3. 4.