Q. Which of the following statements regarding the $S_{N}1\$reaction shown by alkyl halide is not correct?
A) The added nucleophile plays no kinetic role in $S_{N}1\$reaction.
B) The $S_{N}1\$ reaction involves the inversion of configuration of the optically active substrate.
C) The $S_{N}1\$ reaction on the chiral starting material ends up with racemization of the product.
D) The more stable the carbocation intermediate the faster the $S_{N}1\$ reaction.
Explanation
(b)
Statement (b) is not correct regarding the $S_{N}1$ reaction for alkyl halide because in $S_{N}1\$reaction no inversion takes place. The removal of X and the attachment of $OH^{-}$ will take place from the same side.
$R - X\overset{Slow\ \ \ }{\rightarrow}R^{+} + X^{-}$
$R^{+} + OH^{-}\overset{Fast\ \ }{\rightarrow}ROH$
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker
Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist
Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.