The MNDO was found to be the most reliable semi-empirical SCF-MO method for the studies of $S_N2$ reactions involving anion and neutral molecule. The results of our MNDO calculations on the $S_N2$ reactions of $CH_3X$ + $Y^-$ → $CH_3Y$ + X- where X = H, F, Cl, CN, $CH_3$, and Y = F, $CH_3$ showed that the order of the leaving group ability is the reverse of the order of proton affinities. It was also found that there is no symbiosis involved in the SN2 transition state and the departure of the leaving group is relatively late in contrast to the early bond formation of the nucleophile. The Marcus equation was found to apply to the MNDO barriers and energy changes.
