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JEE Advanced levelOne or more correct optionsDifficulty 3 of 3o1050

The solvolysis of is followed in aqueous acetone. Which statements are correct?

  1. AThe rate is independent of the concentration of added nucleophile in the ionisation step.
  2. BIncreasing the proportion of water in the solvent increases the rate.
  3. CIncreasing the concentration of added tenfold raises the rate of disappearance of the bromide tenfold.
  4. DThe rate in DMSO is always higher than in water.

Answer: A, B

The rate-determining step is unimolecular ionisation, so added nucleophile does not change its rate (A true), and a more ionising solvent accelerates it (B true). Azide would change the product distribution but not the rate (C false). Water is far more ionising than DMSO for alkyl halide solvolysis (D false).
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