During the SN2 reaction of methyl chloride with hydroxide ions, the carbon atom passes through a specific transition state. What is its geometry?
Q1. During the SN2 reaction of methyl chloride with hydroxide ions, the carbon atom passes through a specific transition state. What is its geometry?
Answer: Trigonal bipyramidal
Explanation: SN2 transition states are trigonal bipyramidal because five groups briefly surround carbon; tetrahedral is wrong as it only describes stable sp3 species.