How many of the following widely used solvents are capable of significantly accelerating the rate of — Reaction Mechanism Chemistry Question

💡 Solution & Explanation

Polar aprotic solvents greatly accelerate $S_N2$ reactions by stabilizing the metal cation but leaving the nucleophilic anion bare and unsolvated, maximizing its reactivity. Acetone, DMF (Dimethylformamide), and DMSO (Dimethyl sulfoxide) are polar aprotic. Water, Ethanol, and Formamide possess acidic $H$ -atoms capable of hydrogen bonding and are polar protic solvents, which solvate the nucleophile and slow down $S_N2$ reactions. Total is 3.