Which of the following is likely to undergo racemization during alkaline hydrolysis by SN ^1 mechanism?

Step-by-step solution

Racemization occurs during alkaline hydrolysis via SN ^1 mechanism when a chiral center forms a planar carbocation intermediate, allowing nucleophilic attack from either face with equal probability. A) CH ₃- CH ( Cl )- CH ₃ contains a non-chiral carbon bonded to two identical methyl groups. B) CH ₃- CH ₂- CH ( Cl )- CH ₃ has a chiral carbon bonded to CH ₃ , C ₂ H ₅ , H , and Cl . Alkaline hydrolysis proceeds through a secondary carbocation intermediate, resulting in racemization. C) CH ₃- CH ₂- CH ( Cl )- CH ₂- CH