Final answer:
The question relates to the carbocation intermediate that forms during the hydrolysis of 2-bromo-3-methylbutane in organic chemistry, and how its stability affects the hydrolysis rate when compared to simpler alkyl halides such as methyl bromide.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks about the intermediate in the hydrolysis of 2-bromo-3-methylbutane and pertains to the understanding of mechanisms in organic chemistry. During hydrolysis, a carbocation intermediate is formed when the bromine leaving group (Br-) is removed from the molecule. The stability of the carbocation intermediate is crucial for the reaction pathway. Since 2-bromo-3-methylbutane is a secondary alkyl halide, the carbocation formed is also secondary and may be prone to rearrangement if a more stable carbocation can be formed. It is necessary to note that tertiary carbocations, due to the inductive effect from vicinal carbons, are more stable than secondary or primary carbocations. This stability factor significantly influences the rate of hydrolysis, as seen in the comparison to the hydrolysis of methyl bromide (CH3Br), which lacks the structural complexity to stabilize a positive charge effectively and hence reacts much slower.