Unimolecular

Definition

In the context of organic chemistry, particularly within the chapter on reactions of alkyl halides, unimolecular describes a reaction mechanism where a single molecule undergoes a structural rearrangement or decomposition without the involvement of another molecule. This term is most commonly associated with the SN1 reaction, where the rate-determining step involves only one molecular entity.

Related terms

Nucleophilic substitution: A chemical process in which an atom or group of atoms in a molecule is replaced by a nucleophile.

SN1 reaction:

A type of nucleophilic substitution where the rate-determining step involves only one reactant, leading to product formation through a two-step mechanism.

Rate: determining step - The slowest step in a reaction mechanism that determines the overall speed or rate at which a reaction proceeds