Which of the compounds will react faster in S N 1 reaction with the – OH ion? CH 3 — CH 2 — Cl or C 6 H 5 — CH 2 — Cl

Question

Philoid · Accepted Answer

C₆H₅— CH₂— Cl will react faster in an S_N1 reaction with the OH^- ion. This happens due to the stability of the carbocation in the compound. C₆H₅ group is already stable due to resonance, and the CH₂ attached will gain that stability, thus forming a stable C₆H₅CH₂⁺ carbocation after the cleavage in the first step of the S_N1 reaction. The same type of carbocation does not occur in CH₃—CH₂—Cl.

Which of the compounds will react faster in SN1 reaction with the –OH ion?CH3— CH2— Cl or C6H5— CH2— Cl

Which of the compounds will react faster in S_N1 reaction with the ^–OH ion?
CH₃— CH₂— Cl or C₆H₅— CH₂— Cl