Chapter 6: Problem 7
Identify the compound in each of the following pairs that reacts with sodium iodide in acetone at the faster rate: (a) 1-Chlorohexane or cyclohexyl chloride (b) 1-Bromopentane or 3-bromopentane (c) 2-Chloropentane or 2 -fluoropentane (d) 2-Bromo-2-methylhexane or 2-bromo-5-methylhexane (e) 2-Bromopropane or 1 -bromodecane
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Understand the Reaction Mechanism
Analyze Pair (a) 1-Chlorohexane or Cyclohexyl Chloride
Analyze Pair (b) 1-Bromopentane or 3-Bromopentane
Analyze Pair (c) 2-Chloropentane or 2-Fluoropentane
Analyze Pair (d) 2-Bromo-2-methylhexane or 2-Bromo-5-methylhexane
Analyze Pair (e) 2-Bromopropane or 1-Bromodecane
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Nucleophilic Substitution
- SN2 reactions are bimolecular, meaning two reactant species are involved in the rate-determining step.
- These reactions proceed in a single step without any intermediates.
- Typically, SN2 reactions feature a direct attack of the nucleophile, resulting in an inversion of spacial configuration, known as Walden inversion.
Primary Alkyl Halide
- They provide less steric hindrance compared to secondary and tertiary alkyl halides, allowing nucleophiles to easily attack the carbon bearing the halogen.
- Examples include compounds like 1-bromopentane and 1-chlorohexane.
- These types of alkyl halides favor clean and rapid SN2 reactions.
Leaving Group
- Iodide is considered an excellent leaving group due to its large size and ability to disperse the negative charge effectively.
- Other good leaving groups include bromide and chloride, though they are not as effective as iodide.
- Fluorine, on the other hand, is a poor leaving group because it forms a very strong bond with carbon, making it difficult to displace.
Steric Hindrance
- Primary alkyl halides are less sterically hindered than secondary or tertiary alkyl halides, making them more reactive in SN2 scenarios.
- The more bulky groups around the reaction center, the slower the SN2 reaction because the nucleophile finds it harder to reach the carbon atom bonded to the leaving group.
- Understanding steric hindrance is key to predicting the outcomes and speeds of nucleophilic substitution reactions.