Explain the reason for the following:
Tertiary butyl iodide forms tertiary butyl alcohol with water, but with an alkali solution, it yields isobutylene (2-methyl propene).
Tertiary butyl iodide forms tertiary butyl alcohol with water due to SN1 mechanism. This reaction is carried out in polar solvents like water and alcohol. The reaction between tert-butyl iodide and hydroxide ion yields tert-butyl alcohol.In the case of alkali, solvent racemisation takes place. Due to the racemisation, the attack of the nucleophile may be accomplished from either side resulting in a mixture of the product. Hence isobutylene is formed.