Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Chemistry

Chapter

Organic: Haloalkanes and Haloarenes

Question:

The species which does not show high reactivity towards \(S_N1\) reaction is:

Options:

Primary halide

Allylic halide

Benzylic halide

Tertiary halide

Correct Answer:

Primary halide

Explanation:

The correct answer is option 1. Primary halide.

The reactivity of alkyl halides in \(S_N1\) (substitution nucleophilic unimolecular) reactions is largely influenced by the stability of the carbocation intermediate that is formed during the reaction. The \(S_N1\) reaction involves a two-step mechanism:

Formation of Carbocation: The leaving group (halide ion) departs, resulting in the formation of a carbocation intermediate. The stability of the carbocation determines the overall reactivity of the reaction.

Nucleophilic Attack:  A nucleophile attacks the carbocation, completing the substitution.

Now, let's examine the reactivity in \(S_N1\) reactions for different types of alkyl halides:

1. Tertiary Halide:
Tertiary halides form the most stable carbocations because the positive charge is distributed over three alkyl groups.
They exhibit high reactivity in \(S_N1\) reactions.

2. Secondary Halide:
Secondary halides form moderately stable carbocations.
They show reactivity in \(S_N1\) reactions, but generally, they are less reactive than tertiary halides.

3. Benzylic Halide:
Benzylic halides have the benzene ring adjacent to the halide, providing resonance stabilization to the carbocation.
They show good reactivity in \(S_N1\) reactions.

4. Allylic Halide:
Allylic halides have a double bond adjacent to the halide, allowing resonance stabilization of the carbocation.
They exhibit reactivity in \(S_N1\) reactions.

5. Primary Halide:
Primary halides form the least stable carbocations.
They show lower reactivity in \(S_N1\) reactions compared to secondary, benzylic, allylic, and tertiary halides.

In summary, the order of reactivity in \(S_N1\) reactions is generally as follows:

\[ \text{Tertiary > Secondary > Benzylic > Allylic > Primary} \]

Therefore, the species that do not show high reactivity towards \(S_N1\) reactions is a Primary Halide.