Q. 74 tert-Butylbromide reacts with aq. NaOH by  SN1 mechanism while

n-butylbromide reacts by SN1 mechanism. Why?


Tert. butyl bromide reacts with aq. NaOH as follows

        CH3                                                       CH3
           |                                                          |
H3CBr           SN1            H3CC+      +   Br-
            |                                                         |
          CH3                                                  CH3
tert Butlbromide                                  3° carbocation 
(3°alkl halide)                                         (more stable)

            CH3                                                            CH3
               |                                                              |
H3CC+ + OH-                           H3CCOH      
               |                                                               |
            CH3                                                        CH3

tert. butyl bromide when treated with aq, NaOH, il forms tert. corbocation which is more

stable intermediate. This intermediate is further attacked by O-H ion.

‘As tert. carbocation is highly stable so tert butylbromide follow SN1 mechanism.

In-case of n-nutylbromide, primary carbocation is formed which is least stable so, it does not

follow SN1mechanism. Here, stearic hindrance is very less so, it follow SN2 mechanism. In

SN2  mechanism, O-H will atlack from backside and a transilion state is formed,

The leaving group is then pushed off the eopposite side and the product is formed.