Question

Ph-Ch2-Cl is very reactive towards both Sn1 and Sn2 reactions.Explain

Answer 1

Answer on Question #44390 – Chemistry - Organic Chemistry Question

Ph-Ch2-Cl is very reactive towards both Sn1 and Sn2 reactions. Explain

Answer

Ph-Ch₂-Cl is a primary halide. For an Sn2 reaction, the primary halides are most reactive because they have minimized steric interactions in the Sn2 process due to small hydrogen atoms.

For Sn1 reactions, an intermediate carbocation must form before the nucleophile can react. The benzyl cation in contrast to the typical alkylhalides is extremely stable due to multiple resonance forms (see below). Hence Ph-Ch₂-Cl shows high reactivity towards Sn1 reaction too.

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