Question

In the following pair of halogen compounds, which compound undergoes SN1 reaction faster and why?

Hint:

SN1 reactions favor the formation of stable carbocations, so more substituted carbons tend to undergo SN1 reactions more readily.

Answer 1

The compound \(\text{Cl-CH}_2\text{CCl}_3\) undergoes the SN1 reaction faster. This is because the formation of a more stable carbocation is favored in the case of the tertiary carbocation formed by the second compound, whereas the first compound forms a primary carbocation, which is less stable.