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NCERT Class XII Chemistry
Chapter - Haloalkanes and Haloarenes
Questions with Solutions

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Question : 29 of 31
Marks: +1, -0
Which alkyl halide from the following pairs would you expect to react more rapidly by an SN2\mathrm{S_N2} mechanism? Explain your answer.
(i) CH3CH2CH2CH2Br\mathrm{CH_3CH_2CH_2CH_2Br} or CH3CH2HCH3∣BrC\mathrm{CH}_3\mathrm{CH}_2\underset{\vert_{\mathrm{Br}}\mathrm{C}}{\mathrm{HCH}_3}
(ii) CH3CH2HCH3∣BrC\mathrm{CH}_3\mathrm{CH}_2\underset{\vert_{\mathrm{Br}}\mathrm{C}}{\mathrm{HCH}_3} or H3C−C∣CH3C∣CH3−Br\mathrm{H}_3\mathrm{C}-\underset{\underset{\mathrm{CH}_3}{\vert}}{\overset{{\overset{\mathrm{CH}_3}{\vert}\mathrm{C}}}{\mathrm{C}}}-\mathrm{Br}
(iii) CH3HCH2∣CH3CCH2Br\mathrm{CH}_3\underset{\vert_{\mathrm{CH}_3}\mathrm{C}}{\mathrm{HCH}_2}\mathrm{CH}_2\mathrm{Br} or CH3CH2HCH2∣CH3CBr\mathrm{CH}_3\mathrm{CH}_2\underset{\vert_{\mathrm{CH}_3}\mathrm{C}}{\mathrm{HCH}_2}\mathrm{Br}
Solution:  
We know that SN2\mathrm{S_N2} mechanism involves a transition state wherein both, the incoming nucleophile as well as the leaving group are present around the carbon atom. There are 5 atoms simultaneously bonded to it. Thus, for such a transition state to be possible,there should be minimum steric hindrance. Hence, 1° alkyl halides are most reactive towards SN2\mathrm{S_N2} followed by 2° and finally 3°.
1° RX > 2° RX > 3° RX
Based on the above order,
(i) CH3CH2CH2CH2Br\mathrm{CH_3CH_2CH_2CH_2Br} is more reactive.
(ii) CH3CH2HCH3∣BrC\mathrm{CH}_3\mathrm{CH}_2\underset{\vert_{\mathrm{Br}}\mathrm{C}}{\mathrm{HCH}_3} is more reactive.
(iii) CH3−H−CH2∣CH3C−CH2−Br\mathrm{CH}_3-\underset{\vert_{\mathrm{CH}_3}\mathrm{C}}{\mathrm{H-CH}_2}-\mathrm{CH}_2-\mathrm{Br} is more reactive.
In (iii), it is the proximity of the branched chain —CH3\mathrm{—CH}_3 that determines the reactivity. In CH3CH2CH(CH3)CH2\mathrm{CH_3CH_2CH(CH_3)CH_2} the methyl group is closer to the leaving group thereby hindering the transition state.
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