MCAT Question A Day - 4/11/13 - Answer!
Which statement is false about SN1 reactions of alcohols?
A. It follows first-order kinetics.
B. Racemization occurs.
C. Tertiary alcohols are more reactive than secondary or primary alcohols.
D. Rearrangement never occurs.
The correct answer is (D). SN1 reactions involve a carbocation intermediate. Rearrangement often occurs to increase the number of alkyl groups around the positively charged carbon and thus stabilize the intermediate.
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