AAMC practice test 6 question

[rcmp1234]

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An active halide such as Ar3CX directly reacts with an alcohol with no need for an alkoxide ion because the halide ion undergoes solvolysis to form:
a) a carbanion
b) a carbene
c) a free radical
d) a carbocation

Answer:The aromatic halide Ar3CX (“Ar” = aryl or aromatic; for example, Ph3CX) is not only a tertiary halide (favoring
carbocation formation), but the resultant carbocation is stabilized by resonance with the three aromatic rings. Therefore,
Ar3CX readily forms a carbocation to undergo SN1 reactions with alcohols.


Can someone explain why it's D to me? I thought aromatic halides with unreactive towards nucleophilic substitution reactions (such as SN1) and undergo electrophilic substitution instead.

 

[SomethingLatin]

You realize this is a tertiary halide and not a benzilic halide that you are probably confusing it with.

 

[rcmp1234]

omg, haha you are right, i totally had it all confused. I get it now. thanks!