Question
Question: Which of the following alkyl halides exhibits racemisation in \( {{S}_{N}}1 \) reaction? (A) \( {{...
Which of the following alkyl halides exhibits racemisation in SN1 reaction?
(A) (CH)3CCl
(B) CH3CH2CH2Cl
(C) CH3CH2Cl
(D) C6H5CH2Cl
Solution
We will be the concept of SN1 reactions. This is a part of organic chemistry. Also, we need to know about the rate determining step. The alkyl halide forming the most stable carbocation shall form a racemic mixture.
Complete step by step answer
We already know that the SN1 reaction - A Nucleophilic Substitution in which the Rate Determining Step involves 1 component. SN1 reactions are unimolecular, proceeding through an intermediate carbocation. SN1 reactions give racemization of stereochemistry at the reaction centre.
All the molecules undergoing SN1 reaction show racemisation as there is formation of 2 types of product in equal amounts.
The reaction occurs only if the products formed are stable. The Reaction Rate Increases with Substitution at Carbon. Out of all these 4 alkyl halides, C6H5CH2Cl where, benzyl chloride has the strongest tendency to undergo SN1 here thus leading to formation of racemic mixture as it contains benzylic carbocation which is most stable.
So, we need to select the correct option.
The correct option is D.
Note
Some examples of sn1 reaction are: The hydrolysis of tert-butyl bromide with aqueous NaOH solution is an example of SN1 reaction. The rate of the reaction depends on the concentration of tertiary butyl bromide but it is independent of the concentration of NaOH .Hence, the rate determining step only involves tert-butyl bromide.
in a substitution reaction there really are two main factors that tell you whether it's SN2 or SN1 ,the leaving group propensity or the strength of an incoming nucleophile. Two molecules react, and one displaces a substituent on the other. The rate of reaction is determined by the rate determining step. While in some cases SN1 will be faster while in some others SN2 .