Question

Justify and arrange the following compounds namely, ethyl chloride,
isopropyl chloride, tertiary butyl chloride in increasing order of reactivity
towards the asked displacement namely:
(a) Sn1
(b) SN2
P
56/2/3​

Answer 1

Answer:

a) for Sn1  ethyl chloride < isopropyl chloride < tertiary butyl chloride

b) for Sn2  tertiary butyl chloride <isopropyl chloride  < ethyl chloride

since, Sn1 mechanism involves formation of carbocation, and is faster for reactions that include more stable carbocation

tertiary carbocation > secondary carbocation > primary carbocation

while Sn2 reaction depends upon steric hindrance, Sn2 mechanism is slow for more hindered reactant

Explanation: