What Are the Common Solvents Used in Chemical Reactions and Why?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the types of solvents used in chemical reactions, specifically focusing on polar aprotic and polar protic solvents. Participants explore their applications in different reaction mechanisms, such as SN1 and SN2 reactions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about the types of solvents used in specific reactions and asks for clarification on when to use polar aprotic versus polar protic solvents.
  • Another participant notes that there are extensive resources available on the topic and suggests the original poster be more specific in their inquiry.
  • A participant mentions that their textbook does not cover solvents in detail and seeks clarification on the use of polar protic solvents for SN1 reactions and polar aprotic solvents for SN2 reactions.
  • Links to external resources are provided for further reading on SN1 and SN2 solvents.
  • A participant questions the solvation ability of polar aprotic solvents, noting that they solvate ions but not as effectively as polar protic solvents.
  • Another participant confirms the previous statement regarding the solvation capabilities of polar aprotic solvents.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the specifics of solvent usage, and multiple viewpoints regarding the understanding and application of solvents in reactions remain present.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference external resources for clarification, indicating a potential gap in the original poster's understanding based on their textbook. The discussion does not resolve the complexities of solvent interactions in different reaction mechanisms.

jd12345
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I'm having trouble to understand which type of solvents are used in specific reactions

When do you use polar aprotic solvents, polar protic solvents etc? And what makes DMSO, DMF , ether popular solvents?
 
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There are entire chapters dealing with just these questions. You should be more specific.
 
Well my book didnt deal with a chapter specificly for solvents.
But okay i got some information from wikipedia - anyways main doubt: why do we use polar protic solvent forSN1 reaction and polar aprotic for SN2 reactions?
 
Last edited:
A simple discussion regarding Sn1 solvent. http://www.organicchemistryreview.com/sn1.html
And for Sn2. http://web1.uct.usm.maine.edu/~Newton/Chy251_253/Lectures/Sn2Solvents/Sn2SolventsFS.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Okay thank you but one question-polar aprotic solvents also solvate the ions right? But not as good as protic solvent
 
Right.
 

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