(I) (II) (III) Consider the three substituted benzyl chlorides. Which of the following represents the correct decreasing order of their reactivity towards S_ N 1 solvolysis?

Step-by-step solution

The reactivity of alkyl halides towards S_ N 1 solvolysis depends on the stability of the carbocation intermediate formed in the rate-determining step. The carbocations formed from the given substituted benzyl chlorides are: (I) Benzyl cation ( C₆H₅CH₂^+ ) (II) p-Methoxybenzyl cation ( p-CH₃O-C₆H₄CH₂^+ ) (III) p-Nitrobenzyl cation ( p-NO₂-C₆H₄CH₂^+ ) The stability of these carbocations is influenced by the electronic effects of the substituents on the benzene ring: 1. In compound (II), the -OCH₃ group at the para p