AIIMS 2018 Chemistry Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions MCQ Question

The reaction is classified as an SN₁ reaction because it involves a two-step mechanism where the leaving group departs first, forming a carbocation intermediate, followed by nucleophilic attack by water (H₂O) to form the final product. This pathway is characteristic of tertiary substrates, which stabilize the carbocation, leading to a preference for SN₁ over SN₂. In contrast, SN₂ reactions occur in a single step with a backside attack, while E₁ and E₂ reactions involve elimination rather than substitution, making them irrelevant in this context.