In the reaction of benzyl chloride with a strong nucleophile, which mechanism is favored?

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Q: In the reaction of benzyl chloride with a strong nucleophile, which mechanism is favored?

Solution: Benzyl chloride can stabilize a carbocation, thus the SN1 mechanism is favored when reacting with a strong nucleophile.

Steps: 6

Step 1: Understand what benzyl chloride is. It is a compound that has a benzene ring attached to a chlorine atom.
Step 2: Know what a nucleophile is. A nucleophile is a species that donates an electron pair to form a chemical bond.
Step 3: Recognize that there are two main mechanisms for nucleophilic substitution: SN1 and SN2.
Step 4: Learn that the SN1 mechanism involves the formation of a carbocation (a positively charged carbon) as an intermediate.
Step 5: Realize that benzyl chloride can stabilize a carbocation because the benzene ring can help distribute the positive charge.
Step 6: Conclude that since benzyl chloride can stabilize a carbocation, the SN1 mechanism is favored when it reacts with a strong nucleophile.