Which of the following alkyl halide is most reactive towards substitution by $\mathrm{S}_{\mathrm{N}} 1$…

Which of the following alkyl halide is most reactive towards substitution by $\mathrm{S}_{\mathrm{N}} 1$ mechanism?
  1. $\left(\mathrm{CH}_3\right)_3 \mathrm{C}-\mathrm{Br}$
  2. $\left(\mathrm{CH}_3\right)_3 \mathrm{C}-\mathrm{I}$
  3. $\left(\mathrm{CH}_3\right)_3 \mathrm{C}-\mathrm{F}$
  4. $\left(\mathrm{CH}_3\right)_3 \mathrm{C}-\mathrm{Cl}$

Solution

An $\mathrm{S}_{\mathrm{N}} 1$ reaction involves two steps; formation of carbocation (which is the slow and thus, the rate-determining) and attack of the nucleophile on the $\alpha$ - carbon. Among the given options, the $\mathrm{C}-\mathrm{X}$ bond is weakest for $\mathrm{C}-\mathrm{I}$ in $\left(\mathrm{CH}_3\right)_3 \mathrm{C}-\mathrm{I}$. Thus, it will be most reactive towards $\mathrm{S}_{\mathrm{N}} 1$ reaction.

Asked in: AP EAMCET 2023 (16 May Shift 2)

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