The animation

The animation changes at 3-second intervals, with a 5-second interval between the sequence where the incoming nucleophile approaches from the left and that where it approaches from the right. The sequence repeats five times. You can replay it from your History files in your browser or by refreshing the page.

The reaction

The reaction chosen is that between 2-chloro-2-methylpropane and hydroxide ions in predominantly aqueous solution:

(CH₃)₃CCl + OH^- à (CH₃)₃COH + Cl^-

View the animation

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