Question

why benzyl chloride undergoes nucleophilic substitution reaction easily than chlorobenzene

Answer 1

Chlorobenzene (or any aryl halide) is less reactive than Benzyl chloride (or any alkyl halide) because in case of aryl halides, the halogen is directly attached to sp2 hybridised carbon atom. Due to resonance, carbon-halogen bond acquire partial double bond character and the cleavage of C=X bond becomes difficult, hence Chlorobenzene is less reactive than Benzyl chloride.

Answer 2

Explanation:

benzyl chloride more reactive than chlorobenzene