[Andy71600]

I am just learning the basics of SN2, E2, SN1, and E1 reaction mechanisms, and I am wondering whether the following reaction would even occur.

 1-bromopropane reacts with water

SN1 and E1 are probably not going to happen, and I cannot rationalize why Sn2 or E2 would either. Am I missing something or would this reaction not happen?

Thanks

[Andy71600]

I am also having the same problem with: 1-bromopropane and trimethylphosphine.

[agrobert]

Identify nucleophiles and electrophiles.  Then consider reaction conditions and equilibrium.  1-bromopropane with water is a solvolysis reaction, the reaction is driven by the solvation of bromine anion in water.  What mechanism would cause bromine to leave?  If water attacks the oxygen would have a +1 formal charge until it loses an acidic proton.  Think substitution.  For 1-bromopropane think about elimination.

[Fry]

nucleophillic substitution in both

Water is not a strong enough base to allow for the elimination route and phosphines are too good a nucleophiles to act as bases.

I think.