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NEET 2026
Exam
NEET
Year
2026
Subject
Chemistry
Chapter
Chapter

NEET 2026 · Chemistry · Chapter

Consider the three alkyl halides labelled as I, II, and III in the...

Consider the three alkyl halides labelled as I, II, and III in the given figure. Which of the following represents the
Consider the three alkyl halides labelled as I, II, and III in the given figure.

Which of the following represents the correct decreasing order of their reactivity towards an SN2\mathrm{S}_{N}2 reaction?

Options

  1. AI>II>III\text{I} > \text{II} > \text{III}
  2. BIII>II>I\text{III} > \text{II} > \text{I}
  3. CII>I>III\text{II} > \text{I} > \text{III}
  4. DI>III>II\text{I} > \text{III} > \text{II}

Correct answer

A. I>II>III\text{I} > \text{II} > \text{III}

Step-by-step solution

Structure I is bromoethane, which is a primary (1∘1^\circ) alkyl halide.

Structure II is 2-bromopropane, which is a secondary (2∘2^\circ) alkyl halide.

Structure III is 2-bromo-2-methylpropane, which is a tertiary (3∘3^\circ) alkyl halide.

The rate of an SN2\mathrm{S}_{N}2 reaction depends on the steric hindrance around the electrophilic carbon atom. As the number of bulky alkyl groups attached to the reacting carbon increases, the approach of the nucleophile is hindered, leading to a decrease in reactivity.

Therefore, the general order of reactivity of alkyl halides towards SN2\mathrm{S}_{N}2 reactions is 1∘>2∘>3∘1^\circ > 2^\circ > 3^\circ.

Following this order, the decreasing order of reactivity for the given compounds is I>II>III\text{I} > \text{II} > \text{III}.

Answer: I>II>III\text{I} > \text{II} > \text{III}
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