Question
Explain only reaction mechanism for alkaline hydrolysis of tert-butyl bromide
Solution
The rate of the above reaction depends upon the concentrations of the substrate, methyl bromide and the nucleophilic, OH ion.
Mechanism of SN1 reaction: The alkaline hydrolysis of tertiary butyl bromide (a tertiary alkyl halide) proceeds through SN1 reaction mechanism. This reaction is a two-step process. The first step is a slow step while the second one is a fast step. The hydrolysis reaction can be written as follows.
Step-1 Formation of carbocation
Step-2 Attack of the nucleophile on carbocation
As carbocation has planar geometry, therefore, attack of nucleophile takes place from both the side to give retention inversion in configuration, therefore, the product formed is optically inactive racemic mixture.
