TopScore Q - SN1 Rate Determining Step

[Ibraiz]

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Which of the following statement regarding an SN1 reaction is not true?

D) It is a unimolecular reaction for which there is no rate-determining step.
E) The rate of the reaction is independent of the concentration of the nucleophile.

SN1 Rate: Rate = k [substrate]

This means it is not dependent on the nucleophile as the rate determining step is the slow step which in SN1 is the halide leaving from the substrate. Thus, the rate determining step.

How is it then dependent on the concentration of nucleophile?

 

[rippinitez]

I think you misread the choices. It's not dependent on the concen. of the nucelophile. Look closely at answer E, it says independent.

The answer must be D because there IS a rate determining step.

 

[Ibraiz]

Thank you rippinitez, I should pay close attention to the wordings.