Question

Which of the following statements are correct about the kinetics of this reaction?

(i) The rate of reaction depends on the concentration of only (b).

(ii) The rate of reaction depends on concentration of both (a) and (b).

(iii) Molecularity of reaction is one.

(iv) Molecularity of reaction is two.

Answer 1

(i) The rate of reaction depends on the concentration of only (b).

(iii) Molecularity of reaction is one.

Explanation:

S_N1 occurs in two steps. I, the polarized \[\ce{C - Cl}\] bond undergoes slow cleavage to produce a carbonation and a chloride ion. The carbocation thus formed is then attacked by nucleophile in step II to complete the substitution reaction. Step I is the slowest and reversible. It involves the \[\ce{C - Cl}\] bond breaking for which the energy is obtained through salvation of halide ion with the proton of protic solvent. Since the rate of reaction depends upon the slowest step, the rate of reaction depends only on the concentration of alkyl halide and not on the concentration of hydroxide ion. So, the rate-determining step is unimolecular.