Question

Which of the given pair of $S_{N}1$ reaction would you expect to proceed faster?

• A. $HBr>NaBr$
• B. $HBr<NaBr$
• C. $HBr=NaBr$
• D. None of these

Answer 1

The correct option is A $HBr>NaBr$

The reaction with HBr is faster than the reaction with NaBr. HBr protonates the oxygen atom of tert butyl alohol and helps in the formation of tert butyl carbocation (by loss of molecule of water) which is the rate determining step.