Question

The SN1 reaction yields Entry field with incorrect answer two (number) products. This is because ______________________. Entry field with incorrect answer The carbocation that forms can react with CH3OH from the top side of the molecule. The carbocation that forms can react with H2O from either the top or bottom side of the molecule. The carbocation that forms can react with either nucleophile (H2O or CH3OH) from the top side of the molecule. The carbocation that forms can react with H2O from the bottom side of the molecule. The carbocation that forms can react with CH3OH from either the top or bottom side of the molecule. The carbocation that forms can react with either nucleophile (H2O or CH3OH) from the bottom side of the molecule. The carbocation that forms can react with H2O from the top side of the molecule. The carbocation that forms can react with CH3OH from the bottom side of the molecule. The carbocation that forms can react with either nucleophile (H2O or CH3OH) from either the top or bottom side of the molecule.

Answer 1

The SN1 reaction yields two products due to the trigonal planar structure of the carbocation intermediate that allows for nucleophilic attack from both sides, resulting in a racemic mixture if the reaction takes place on a chiral carbon.

Step-by-step explanation:

The SN1 reaction yields two products because the carbocation intermediate that forms is trigonal planar, allowing nucleophiles to attack from either the top or bottom side of the molecule.

When the reaction occurs on a chiral carbon, this leads to the formation of a racemic mixture, with approximately 50% of the product retaining the original configuration and the other 50% having the inverted configuration. In an SN1 reaction, the nucleophile that is in higher concentration in the solution, often the solvent, will predominate in the reaction due to its accessibility to the carbocation.

Answer 2

Four substitution products are obtained. The carbocation that forms can react with either nucleophile (H2O or CH3OH) from either the top or bottom side of the molecule

Step-by-step explanation:

An SN1 reaction usually involves the formation of a carbocation in the slow rate determining step. This carbocation is now attacked by a nucleophile in a subsequent fast step to give the desired product.

However, the product is obtained as a racemic mixture because the nucleophile may attack from the top or bottom of the carbocation hence both attacks are equally probable.

The attacking nucleophile in this case may be water or CH3OH