Benzyl chloride undergoes nucleophilic substitution much more easily than chlorobenzene. Explain.

Explanation

Benzyl chloride undergoes nucleophilic substitution readily via resonance stabilised benzyl carbocation

On the otherhand `C-Cl` bond in benzene has partial double bond character due to resonance and hence is difficult to cleave. Hence, benzyl chloride undergoes nucleophilic substitution much more easily than chlorobenzene