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The
2-bromopropane has a dipole between the carbon atom and the bromine atom due
to the electronegativity difference between bromine and carbon. This dipole will attract the hydroxide ion. The
carbon-bromine bond is reasonably weak due to the orbital level difference between
bromine and carbon. The methyl groups sterically inhibit the formation of the 5-center
transition state needed for the SN2 reaction. |