Question

Statement-1 : Benzyl chloride reacts faster than ethyl chloride towards $S_N1$.
Statement-2 : Positive charge on ethyl will be unstable.

• (1) Statement-I and statement-II both are correct.
• (2) Statement-I and statement-II both are incorrect.
• (3) Statement-I correct but statement-II is incorrect.
• (4) Statement-I incorrect but statement-II is correct.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Kinetics of nucleophilic substitution ($S_N1$) and carbocation stability.

LOGIC:
1. $S_N1$ reactivity order follows the stability of the intermediate carbocation.
2. Benzyl carbocation ($C_6H_5CH_2^+$) is resonance stabilized, making it very stable.
3. Ethyl carbocation ($CH_3CH_2^+$) is a primary carbocation and lacks resonance, making it 'unstable' relative to benzyl.
4. Therefore, the formation of the benzyl carbocation is faster, leading to a higher reaction rate for benzyl chloride. Both statements are true. Option (1) is correct.