Propose a mechanism for the following reaction. (Hint: The rate of the reaction is much slower if the nitrogen atom is replaced by CH.)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Analyze the structure of the reactant. The molecule contains two bromine atoms attached to carbon atoms adjacent to a nitrogen atom. The nitrogen atom has a lone pair of electrons, making it nucleophilic and capable of stabilizing intermediates.
2. Step 2: Consider the role of hydroxide ion (OH⁻) as a strong nucleophile and base. The hydroxide ion will likely initiate the reaction by attacking one of the carbon atoms bonded to bromine, leading to the displacement of the bromine atom via an SN2 mechanism.
3. Step 3: The nitrogen atom plays a key role in stabilizing the intermediate formed after the bromine atom is displaced. Its lone pair can help stabilize the transition state, which explains why the reaction rate is slower when nitrogen is replaced by CH (carbon-hydrogen group).
4. Step 4: After the first bromine atom is displaced, the hydroxide ion can attack the second carbon-bromine bond in a similar SN2 mechanism. This results in the formation of the final product, where both bromine atoms are replaced by hydroxyl groups (-OH).
5. Step 5: The final product is a molecule with two hydroxyl groups attached to the carbon atoms adjacent to the nitrogen atom. The nitrogen atom remains unchanged, retaining its lone pair of electrons.

Key Concepts

Nucleophilic Substitution

Nucleophilic substitution is a fundamental reaction in organic chemistry where a nucleophile attacks an electrophile, resulting in the replacement of a leaving group. In this case, the nitrogen atom acts as a nucleophile, attacking the carbon bonded to bromine, leading to the substitution of bromine with a hydroxyl group. Understanding this mechanism is crucial for predicting the outcome of the reaction.

Leaving Groups

A leaving group is an atom or group that can depart from the parent molecule during a chemical reaction, facilitating the formation of a new bond. In the provided reaction, bromine is the leaving group, and its ability to leave is influenced by the nature of the atom it is attached to. The hint suggests that replacing nitrogen with a carbon atom significantly slows the reaction, indicating that nitrogen is a better leaving group than carbon.

Reaction Mechanism

A reaction mechanism is a step-by-step description of the process by which reactants are converted into products. It outlines the sequence of bond-breaking and bond-forming events, providing insight into the reaction's kinetics and thermodynamics. In this case, proposing a mechanism involves detailing how the nucleophilic attack occurs, the role of the leaving group, and the formation of the final product, which is essential for understanding the reaction's dynamics.