Which of the following reactions is an example of an SN1 mechanism?

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Q: Which of the following reactions is an example of an SN1 mechanism?

Solution: The reaction of a tertiary alkyl halide with water is an SN1 mechanism due to the formation of a stable carbocation.

Steps: 5

Step 1: Understand what an SN1 mechanism is. It is a type of nucleophilic substitution reaction that involves two main steps.
Step 2: Identify the first step of the SN1 mechanism, which is the formation of a carbocation. This happens when the leaving group (like a halide) departs from the alkyl halide.
Step 3: Recognize that tertiary alkyl halides are more likely to form stable carbocations because they have three alkyl groups that can stabilize the positive charge.
Step 4: In the second step of the SN1 mechanism, a nucleophile (like water) attacks the carbocation to form the final product.
Step 5: Conclude that the reaction of a tertiary alkyl halide with water is an example of an SN1 mechanism because it involves the formation of a stable carbocation.