Question

Reaction of $C_6H_5CH_2Br$ with aqueous sodium hydroxide follows___________.

• A. $S_N1$ mechanism
• B. $S_N2$ mechanism
• C. Any of the above two depending upon the temperature of reaction
• D. Saytzeff rule

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

Benzylic halides show high reactivity towards the $S_N1$ reaction.
The carbocation thus formed gets stabilised through resonance as shown in the figure.