Determine the correct order of reactivity of the following compounds towards the S _ N 1 reaction: (I) (II) (III)

Step-by-step solution

The rate of an S _ N 1 reaction depends on the stability of the intermediate carbocation formed after the departure of the leaving group ( Cl ⁻ ). Let us analyze the intermediate carbocations formed for each compound: 1. For compound (I), the departure of Cl ⁻ generates a carbocation at C-2, which is flanked by two - NH - groups. The nitrogen atoms have lone pairs that strongly stabilize the positive charge through resonance ( + M effect). Since nitrogen is less electronegative than oxygen, it is a better electron