Question

1-chloro-1-phenylethane undergoes solvolysis in water by an SN1 mechanism to make 1-phenylethanol.

The reaction is followed with bromothymol blue indicator and an aliquot of sodium hydroxide base. Which of the following statements about the reaction are true? (more than one can apply)

A.Carbocations are destabilized by protic solvents like alcohols

B. The reaction can be followed because base is generated as a product.

C. The first step is the slowest because a bond is being broken.

D. Carbocations are stabilized by protic solvents like water.

Answer 1

1-chloro-1-phenylethane undergoes solvolysis reaction in presence of solvent water (H20) to form 1-phenylethanol. The reaction is as follows: H2o SNI reaction CI он 1-chloro-1-phenylethane 1-phenylethanol SN reaction occur in 2 steps. The first step is called rate determineing step (i.e. slowest step). Carbocations are stabilized by protic solvents like water. Thus, the true srtatements is C and D