The reaction of tert-butyl alcohol with concentrated HCl goes by the SN1 mechanism. Write a mechanism for this reaction.

In a Unimolecular nucleophile substitution ( S_N1 ) reaction, only one molecule (carbocation formation) is involved in the “rate-determining step.”

Unimolecular nucleophilic substitution is also known as a first-order reaction.

Hydrolysis of tertiary alkyl halide follows a Unimolecular nucleophilic substitution reaction.

tert-butyl alcoholis tertiary alcohol; thus, it will react with HCl by the SN1 mechanism.

Protonation of tert-butyl alcoholconverts the hydroxy group to a good leaving group.

Water leaves, forming a carbocation.

Bromide ion attacks the carbocation to form the product 2-chloro-2-methylpropane.

Mechamism of forming 2-chloro-2-methylpropane

Mechanism of formation of 1- bromo-1-methylcyclohexane