Final answer:
In an SN1 reaction, the major organic product is typically the result of a nucleophile attacking a trigonal planar carbocation intermediate. Tertiary alkyl halides are common substrates for SN1, where the reaction often creates a racemic mixture if the substrate is chiral. Solvent molecules can act as nucleophiles, leading to products like R-OH.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks about the major organic product of an SN1 reaction. An SN1 reaction is characterized by a unimolecular mechanism, meaning that the rate-determining step involves only the substrate. In this reaction, a carbocation intermediate is formed when the leaving group departs. This intermediate is trigonal planar, allowing the nucleophile to attack from either side, often resulting in a racemic mixture if the original molecule is chiral. Because the carbocation is most stable in tertiary alkyl halides, SN1 reactions typically occur with these substrates. Solvent molecules often act as nucleophiles due to their high concentration, leading to products such as R-OH. Furthermore, SN1 reactions are in competition with E1 reactions, and the choice between substitution and elimination can be influenced by the specific conditions and substrate structures.