--- title: "Finkelstein reaction Template – Chemistry Diagram | MolDraw" url: https://www.moldraw.com/templates/finkelstein-reaction/ description: "Finkelstein reaction template: Iodide displaces bromide from bromoethane in one SN2 step; NaBr is insoluble in acetone and precipitates, pulling the…" lang: en publisher: Scidart Academy generated: 2026-10-28 --- [MolDraw](https://www.moldraw.com/) › [Templates](https://www.moldraw.com/templates/) › [Name reactions](https://www.moldraw.com/templates/name-reactions/) › Finkelstein reaction [Name reactions](https://www.moldraw.com/templates/name-reactions/)Premium # Finkelstein reaction template ![Finkelstein reaction template: Iodide displaces bromide from bromoethane in one SN2 step; NaBr is insoluble in acetone and precipitates, pulling the equilibrium over.](https://www.moldraw.com/templates/finkelstein-reaction.webp) [Edit in MolDraw](https://www.moldraw.com/)Download with Pro Premium template. Preview and edit it free in MolDraw; downloading and exporting it is part of [MolDraw Pro](https://www.moldraw.com/pricing). Iodide displaces bromide from bromoethane in one SN2 step; NaBr is insoluble in acetone and precipitates, pulling the equilibrium over. ## Mechanism step by step NaI in dry acetone turns an alkyl chloride or bromide into the iodide (SN2) 1. **Backside attack (SN2)** – I⁻ attacks opposite Br; C–I forms as C–Br breaks in one step ## Key points - An equilibrium: NaI dissolves in acetone but NaCl and NaBr do not, so their precipitation drives it (Le Chatelier). - Rate = k[RX][I⁻]; best for primary halides; inversion of configuration at a stereocentre. - Iodide is both a good nucleophile and a good leaving group. - Alkyl iodides are hard to make by direct iodination, so this exchange is the usual route. Drawn with 18 atoms, 4 arrows, 5 shapes – every one editable in MolDraw. ## Sources - [Kürti & Czakó, Strategic Applications of Named Reactions in Organic Synthesis, Elsevier 2005](https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780124297852) Textbook - [Clayden, Greeves & Warren, Organic Chemistry, 2nd ed., OUP 2012](https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780199270293) Textbook ## How to use this template 1. Press **Edit in MolDraw**. The template opens on the canvas of the free MolDraw editor. 2. Change anything: move structures, edit atoms and labels, recolour highlights or delete what you do not need. 3. Add your own structures, arrows and text next to it, or combine several templates on one page. 4. Export the drawing as PNG, SVG or PDF for slides, worksheets, theses and papers. ## Frequently asked questions ### Is the Finkelstein reaction template free? You can preview the Finkelstein reaction template here and open and edit it in MolDraw for free. Downloading or exporting it is part of MolDraw Pro, together with the other premium templates. ### Can I edit the Finkelstein reaction template? Yes. It opens as an ordinary MolDraw drawing, so every structure, arrow, label and colour can be changed, and you can add your own content around it. ### Is the chemistry checked? Every structure is checked with RDKit and every curly arrow passes MolDraw’s electron-flow audit. The sources used are listed on this page. ### Which name reactions are included? 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