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The SN2 reaction is a single-step displacement of a leaving group by a nucleophile. During the transition state, the bond to the nucleophile forms at the same time that the bond to the leaving group breaks. Therefore the nucleophile is required to approach from the back, and configuration at carbon is inverted.
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Click to see this diagrammed
Reaction animation:
animated GIF
| SN1 | SN2 | E1 | E2 | |||||
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