Question

Select all statements that are true for Sn1 reactions. (a) Formation of the carbocation is the rate-determining step (RDS) (b) The reaction rate depends upon the concentration of both the nucleophile and the electrophile (c) Reactions at chiral carbons proceed with inversion of stereochemistry (d) None of these statements are true for Sn1 reactions (e) Carbocation rearrangements are never observed

Answer 1

Answer:

(a) Formation of the carbocation is the rate-determining step (RDS)

(c) Reactions at chiral carbons proceed with inversion of stereochemistry

Explanation:

SN1 reactions arenucleophilic substitution reactions in which the rate determining step is unimolecular.

The formation of a carbocation is the rate determining step. This depends on the electrophilicity of the leaving group. Thus the SN1 reaction mechanisms is dependent on the electrophile and not the nucleophile.

Polar and acidic solvents which can assist in the formation of the carbocation speeds up the rate determining step.

If the formation of carbocation occurs at a chiral center, both retention and inversion of stereochemistry are likely to occur.

Therefore, the correct options are A and C.