Question

Which of the following compounds will react more rapidly by S_N1 reaction and why?

\[\begin{array}{cc}
\phantom{...}\ce{CH3}\\
\phantom{..}|\\
\ce{CH3 - C - Br}\\
\phantom{..}|\\
\phantom{...}\ce{CH3}\\
\end{array}\] or \[\ce{CH3CH2Br}\]

Answer 1

\[\ce{(CH3)3Br}\] reacts faster than \[\ce{CH3CH2}\] at the S_N1 level. Tertiary halides are more stable than primary halides, resulting in faster S_N1 reactions.