Assertion A: Hydrolysis of an alkyl chloride is a slow reaction but in the presence of NaI, the rate of the hydrolysis increases.
Reason R: I⁻ is a good nucleophile as well as a good leaving group.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below

Question

Assertion A: Hydrolysis of an alkyl chloride is a slow reaction but in the presence of NaI, the rate of the hydrolysis increases.
Reason R: I⁻ is a good nucleophile as well as a good leaving group.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below.
(1) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(2) A is false but R is true
(3) A is true but R is false
(4) Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A

Accepted Answer

Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. The hydrolysis of alkyl chlorides is indeed slow, but the presence of NaI enhances the reaction rate because I⁻ acts as a strong nucleophile, facilitating the substitution reaction. Additionally, I⁻ is a good leaving group, which further supports the reaction mechanism, making R a valid explanation for A.

Solution

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