Optical activity refers to the ability of certain compounds to rotate the plane of plane-polarized light. It is measured using a polarimeter, with a clockwise rotation (+) indicating dextrorotatory and a counterclockwise rotation (–) indicating laevo-rotatory.

Tertiary alkyl halides undergo SN₁ reactions more rapidly due to the higher stability of the resulting tertiary carbocations, making their formation easier and the reaction faster.

The rate of an SN₁ reaction is determined by the concentration of the alkyl halide, as the reaction occurs in two steps, with the slowest step being the cleavage of the polarized C–Br bond.

Polar protic solvents, such as water, alcohol, and acetic acid, are commonly used in SN₁ reactions.

Ambident nucleophiles, like cyanides and nitrites, have two nucleophilic centers. Cyanide can act through the carbon atom (⁻C≡N) or nitrogen atom (⁻:C=N⁻), forming alkyl cyanides or isocyanides. Similarly, nitrite ion can link through oxygen (⁻O—:N=O) to form alkyl nitrites or ...