Identify the correct order of reactivity towards the S _ N 2 reaction for the following compounds: (i) (ii) (iii)

Step-by-step solution

The rate of an S _ N 2 reaction is inversely proportional to the steric hindrance around the electrophilic carbon atom. In substituted cyclohexanes, the S _ N 2 reaction involves a backside attack by the nucleophile. This attack is significantly hindered by axial substituents at the 3- and 5-positions due to 1,3-diaxial steric interactions in the transition state. Let us analyze the steric hindrance in the given compounds: 1. Compound (i) is 1-chloro-4,4-dimethylcyclohexane. The methyl groups are located at the 4-p