[svalbard]

so, I'm learning substitution and elimination reactions.

I'm thoroughly confused on how a polar aprotic solvent stabilizes an anion.

If it stabilizes an ion, wouldn't that stabilize the nucleophile, and hinder the reaction??

Thanks

[MissPhosgene]

Polar aprotic solvents don't stabilize anions, they solvate cations making the nucleophile more reactive. Polar protic solvents stabilize anions via hydrogen-bonding.

[svalbard]

Polar aprotic solvents don't stabilize anions, they solvate cations making the nucleophile more reactive. Polar protic solvents stabilize anions via hydrogen-bonding.

When you say cation, are you referring to the counter cation, i.e. Na+ from NaCl?  or a carbocation as in Sn1

This is my point of confusion. If they solvate cations, wouldn't that hinder the attack on the carbocation?

[MissPhosgene]

Most of the time carbocations are very short lived species. If they are not generated in a solvent which is also the nuclephile, solvation (stabilizing) will be beneficial. However, they are generally formed in polar protic solvents (also solvates cations) and not polar aprotic.

By solvents, I mean + charged ion, such as counterion and carbocation as you said.

Best.