Question

Reaction of $C_{6}H_{5}CH_{2}Br$ with aqueous sodium hydroxide follows._______

• A. $S_{N}1$mechanism
• B. $S_{N2}$mechanism
• C. Any of the above two depending upon the temperature of reaction
• D. Saytzeff rule

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

$S_{N}1$mechanism

Answer 2

Benzylic halides show high reactivity towards the $S_{N}1$reaction

The carbocation thus formed gets stabilized through resonance as shown in the figure.