Dynamic Processes Leading to Covalent Bond Formation for SN1 Reactions

The SN1 reaction mechanism is one of the most fundamental processes in organic chemistry. As such, it has been the subject of study for over 70 years with the purpose of seeking to understand the fundamental parameters that control reactivity. With recent advances in both electronic structure theory and condense-phase reaction dynamics theory as well as in experimental probes of these reactions on the femtosecond and picosecond time scale, we are beginning to gain new insights into the nature of these reactions.