Question

Observe the two statements
Assertion (A): Benzyl chloride undergoes S$_{N}$1 reaction readily while chloro benzene does not.
Reason (R): C-Cl bond in chlorobenzene has partial double bond due to resonance.
The correct answer is

• A. Both A and R are correct and R is correct explanation of A.
• B. Both A and R are correct but R is not correct explanation of A.
• C. A is correct but R is incorrect.
• D. A is incorrect but R is correct.

Hint:

In S\(_{N}\)1 reactions, the stability of the carbocation formed plays a key role. The more stable the carbocation, the faster the reaction will proceed.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Benzyl chloride undergoes S\(_{N}\)1 reactions easily because the benzylic carbocation formed is stable due to resonance stabilization. Chloro benzene, on the other hand, does not undergo S\(_{N}\)1 reaction readily because the lone pair of electrons on the oxygen atom of the aromatic ring is delocalized, making the C-Cl bond more stable and less likely to dissociate. 
Hence, the assertion (A) and reason (R) are correct and R correctly explains A.