Chapter 15: Q32. (page 570)
Questions: Why is a benzylic C-H bond unusually weak?
Short Answer
Answer
Benzylic C-H bond is unusually weak because the cleavage of the C-H bond gives a 1o radical, which is stabilized by resonance.
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Chapter 15: Q32. (page 570)
Questions: Why is a benzylic C-H bond unusually weak?
Answer
Benzylic C-H bond is unusually weak because the cleavage of the C-H bond gives a 1o radical, which is stabilized by resonance.
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Question: The triphenylmethyl radical is an unusual persistent radical present in solution in equilibrium with its dimer. For 70 years the dimer was thought to be hexaphenylethane, but in 1970, NMR data showed it to be A.

a. Why is the triphenylmethyl radical more stable than most other radicals?
b. Use curved arrow notation to show how two triphenylmethyl radicals dimerize to form A.
c. Propose a reason for the formation of A rather than hexaphenylethane.d. How could 1 H and 13C NMR spectroscopy be used to distinguish between hexaphenylethane and A?
Questions: Rank the indicated hydrogen atoms in order of increasing ease of abstraction in a radical halogenation reaction.

Question: Draw resonance structures for each radical.
a.

b.

c.

Questions: Compounds A and B are isomers having molecular formula C5H12. Heating A with Cl2 gives a single product of monohalogenation, whereas heating B under the same conditions forms three constitutional isomers. What are the structures of A and B?
Question: In the presence of a radical initiator (Z* ), tributyltin hydride ( R3SnH,R=CH3CH2CH2CH2 ) reduces alkyl halides to alkanes: R'X+R3SnHR'H+R3SnX. The mechanism consists of a radical chain process with an intermediate tin radical:

This reaction has been employed in many radical cyclization reactions. Draw a stepwise mechanism for the following reaction.

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