Question

The formation of tert-butanol is described by the following chemical equation:

(CH3)3CBr (aq) + OH- (aq) → Br- (aq) + (CH3)3COH (ǎq )

Suppose a two-step mechanism is proposed for this reaction, beginning with this elementary reaction

(CH3)3CBr (aq) → (CH3)3C+ (aq) + Br- (aq)

Suppose also that the second step of the mechanism should be bimolecular. Suggest a reasonable second step. That is, write the balanced chemical equation of a bimolecular elementary reaction that would complete the proposed mechanism

Answer 1

Second step

(CH3)3C+ (aq) + OH^-(aq) ------->(CH3)3COH(aq)

Step-by-step explanation:

This reaction involves;

First the ionization of the tertiary halide to firm a carbocation

Secondly the attack of the hydroxide ion on the carbocation to form tert-butanol

First step;

(CH3)3CBr (aq) → (CH3)3C+ (aq) + Br- (aq)

Second step

(CH3)3C+ (aq) + OH^-(aq) ------->(CH3)3COH(aq)

This second step completes the reaction mechanism.