Assertion : Rate of hydrolysis of methyl chloride to methanol is higher in DMF than in water.
Reason : Hydrolysis of methyl chloride follows second order kinetics.

Options

A. If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion
B. If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion
C. If assertion is true but reason is false
D. If both assertion and reason are false

Explanation

To solve the question, we will analyze both the assertion and the reason provided.

### Step 1: Understand the Assertion
The assertion states that "the rate of hydrolysis of methyl chloride to methanol is higher in DMF than in water."

- Methyl chloride (CH3Cl) undergoes hydrolysis in a nucleophilic substitution reaction (SN2 mechanism) where the nucleophile (water or hydroxide ion) attacks the carbon atom, leading to the formation of methanol (CH3OH) and chloride ion (Cl⁻).
- DMF (Dimethylformamide) is a polar aprotic solvent, while water is a polar protic solvent.

### Step 2: Analyze the Role of Solvents
In SN2 reactions, the choice of solvent significantly affects the reaction rate:
- Polar protic solvents (like water) can stabilize the nucleophile and the transition state through hydrogen bonding, which can hinder the reaction.
- Polar aprotic solvents (like DMF) do not have hydrogen bonding capabilities that stabilize the nucleophile, allowing it to remain more reactive.

### Conclusion for Assertion
Since DMF is a polar aprotic solvent, it enhances the rate of hydrolysis of methyl chloride compared to water. Thus, the assertion is **true**.

### Step 3: Understand the Reason
The reason states that "hydrolysis of methyl chloride follows second order kinetics."

- In an SN2 reaction, the rate of reaction depends on the concentration of both the substrate (methyl chloride) and the nucleophile (water or hydroxide ion).
- This means the reaction is second order overall because the rate law can be expressed as Rate = k[CH3Cl][Nucleophile].

### Conclusion for Reason
Since the hydrolysis of methyl chloride indeed follows second order kinetics, the reason is also **true**.

### Final Conclusion
Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains the assertion.

### Answer
Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason is the correct explanation of the assertion.

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