Predict the order of reactivity of the following four isomers towards reaction. (I) (II) (III) (IV)
(IV) > (III) > (II) > (I)
(I) > (II) > (III) > (IV)
(I) > (III) > (II) > (IV)
(IV) > (II) > (III) > (I)
The reactivity of alkyl halides towards reactions is primarily governed by steric hindrance around the electrophilic carbon atom. The lesser the steric hindrance, the higher the reactivity. Thus, the general order of reactivity is primary () > secondary () > tertiary () .
Analysing the given isomers: (I) (1-chlorobutane) is a straight-chain primary () alkyl halide, which has the least steric hindrance. (III) (1-chloro-2-methylpropane) is also a primary () alkyl halide, but it has a methyl branch at the -carbon, making it more sterically hindered than isomer (I). (II) (2-chlorobutane) is a secondary () alkyl halide, which is more hindered than the primary halides. (IV) (2-chloro-2-methylpropane) is a tertiary () alkyl halide, which is highly sterically hindered and least reactive towards substitution.
Therefore, the correct decreasing order of reactivity towards reaction is (I) > (III) > (II) > (IV) .
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