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NEETChemistryHaloalkanes & HaloarenesClass 12

What is the difference between polar protic solvent and polar aprotic solvent?

A polar protic solvent (water, alcohols) can hydrogen-bond, stabilising a carbocation, so it favours SN1; a polar aprotic solvent (acetone, DMSO) leaves the nucleophile free and reactive, so it favours SN2.

A polar protic solvent (water, alcohols) can hydrogen-bond, stabilising a carbocation, so it favours SN1; a polar aprotic solvent (acetone, DMSO) leaves the nucleophile free and reactive, so it favours SN2. A reliable way to keep them apart is to focus on what each one is defined by, not just the similar-sounding words.

Key point

polar protic solvent vs polar aprotic solvent

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