The rate of an SN1 reaction depends on the stability of the carbocation intermediate formed during the first (rate-determining) step. Heterolytic cleavage of the C-Br bond in each option yields the following carbocations:
- C6H5-C+H-C6H5: Secondary carbocation, stabilized by resonance from two phenyl rings.
- C6H5-C+H-CH3: Secondary carbocation, stabilized by resonance from one phenyl ring and hyperconjugation from one methyl group.
- C6H5-C+(CH3)-C6H5: Tertiary carbocation, highly stabilized by resonance from two phenyl rings and hyperconjugation from one methyl group.
- C6H5-C+H2: Primary carbocation, stabilized by resonance from one phenyl ring.
The carbocation formed from C6H5C(CH3)(C6H5)Br is the most stable because it is a tertiary carbocation further stabilized by extensive resonance delocalization over two phenyl rings. Therefore, it is the most reactive towards SN1 substitution.