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JEE Main Chemistry Haloalkanes and Haloarenes 2026 JEE Main 2026 (24 January Shift 1)

JEE Main Chemistry Question (2026) — Solution

Question

Given below are two statements: Statement I : ' C - Cl ^ bond is stronger in CH _ 2 = CH - Cl than CH _ 3 - CH _ 2 - Cl Statement II : The given optically active molecule, on hydrolysis gives a solution that can rotate the plane polarized light. In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer from the options given below

Options

  1. A. Statement I is false but Statement II is true
  2. B. Both Statement I and Statement II are true
  3. C. Both Statement I and Statement II are false
  4. D. Statement I is true but Statement II is false

Answer

D. Statement I is true but Statement II is false

Step-by-step solution

Statement I: In vinyl chloride (CH₂=CH-Cl), the C-Cl bond involves an sp² hybridized carbon, while in ethyl chloride (CH₃-CH₂-Cl), it involves an sp³ carbon. The sp² carbon has greater s-character, forming a shorter and stronger C-Cl bond. Additionally, resonance stabilization from the Cl atom's p-orbital overlapping with the π system further strengthens the vinyl C-Cl bond. Statement I is TRUE. Statement II: The optically active molecule shown has a stereogenic center bearing Me, Ph, Et, and Cl groups. Upon hydrolysis via nucleophilic substitution (typically SN1 for tertiary or secondary centers), the C-Cl bond breaks to form an alcohol. SN1 mechanism generates a carbocation intermediate, allowing nucleophilic attack from both faces, producing a racemic mixture of the alcohol product. A racemic solution cannot rotate polarized light as the d- and l-enantiomers cancel each other's rotations. Statement II is FALSE.

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