Tertiary halide + water -->?

Started by KyoPhan
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KyoPhan

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E1 or SN1?

On a flash card I put down the E1 reaction, but couldn't it also go SN1 to make a tert alcohol?
 
Since water can act as both (weak) base and (weak) nucleophile, both E1 and SN1 reaction can occurs if I remember correctly. Generally, SN1 and E1 occurs together since both mechanism have a same intermediate which is carbocation. Usually, SN1 product is major and E1 product is by product. Let me know if I am wrong. 🙂