In an SN1 reaction, which step is rate-determining?

Practice Questions

Q1
In an SN1 reaction, which step is rate-determining?
  1. Formation of the carbocation
  2. Nucleophilic attack
  3. Deprotonation
  4. Rearrangement

Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions

In an SN1 reaction, which step is rate-determining?
  • Step 1: Understand that an SN1 reaction involves two main steps.
  • Step 2: Identify the first step, which is the breaking of the bond to the leaving group.
  • Step 3: Recognize that this first step leads to the formation of a carbocation.
  • Step 4: Realize that the formation of the carbocation is slow and determines the overall rate of the reaction.
  • Step 5: Conclude that the rate-determining step in an SN1 reaction is the formation of the carbocation.
No concepts available.
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