Are alkyl fluorides good substrates in SN2 and SN1 reactions? Explain. Solution

Question

Explanation / Answer

for a given alkyl group ,the reactivity of alkyl halides R-X, in SN1 and SN2 reactions decreases in the order : R-I > R -Br > R-Cl > R-F this means that R-I is most reactive and R-F is least reactive......this order can be explained on the basis of bond dissociation enrgy of C-X bond .... consider bond dissociation enrgies for methyl halides : CH3-F = 452 kj CH3-Cl = 351kj CH3-Br = 293 kj CH3-I = 234 kj as C-I has the minimum bond dissociation energy ...therefore C-I bond is easiest to break and hence iodoalkanes are most reactive in both SN1 and SN2 reactions .... while C-F has the maximum bond dissociation energy so fluoroalkanes are least reactive in both SN1 and SN2 reactions .. so as bond dissociation enrgy for C-F bond is very high so it is not a good substrate ...

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse A
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.