Question

The carbocation formed in $S_N1$ reaction of alkyl halide in the slow step is:

• A. $sp^3$ -hybridised
• B. $sp^2$ -hybridised
• C. $sp$ -hybridised
• D. $sp^3d$ - hybridised

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

$sp^2$ -hybridised

Answer 2

In $SN_1$ reaction, the carbocation formation is a slow step. The carbocation formed is a planar, species containing $sp^2$ -hybridised carbon atom, electron deficient and an empty $p$-orbital.