The rate of an SN1 reaction depends on the concentration of
Correct answer: B. the alkyl halide only
- A. both the alkyl halide and the nucleophile
- B. the alkyl halide only
- C. the nucleophile only
- D. the solvent only
Explanation
The slow, rate determining step is the ionisation of the alkyl halide into a carbocation and a halide ion, and the nucleophile is not involved until the fast second step, so it does not appear in the rate equation. This is why the reaction is called unimolecular. Detecting first order kinetics is the standard experimental evidence for the SN1 pathway.
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About Nucleophilic Substitution
Nucleophilic substitution replaces a leaving group in an alkyl halide when an electron-rich nucleophile attacks the carbon atom. The topic compares SN1 and SN2 mechanisms, including reaction conditions, substrate structure, solvent effects, nucleophile strength, carbocation formation and stereochemical changes, and distinguishes substitution from elimination.
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