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JEE Main Chemistry Haloalkanes and Haloarenes 2026 JEE Main 2026 (22 January Shift 1)

JEE Main Chemistry Question (2026) — Solution

Question

The correct order of reactivity of CH _ 3 Br in methanol with the following nucleophiles is F ^ - , I ^ - , C _ 2 H _ 5 O ^ - and C _ 6 H _ 5 O ^ -

Options

  1. A. I ^ - > C _ 2 H _ 5 O ^ - > F ^ - > C _ 6 H _ 5 O ^ -
  2. B. I ^ - > C _ 2 H _ 5 O ^ - > C _ 6 H _ 5 O ^ - > F ^ -
  3. C. I ^ - > F ^ - > C _ 6 H _ 5 O ^ - > C _ 2 H _ 5 O ^ -
  4. D. I ^ - > C _ 6 H _ 5 O ^ - > F ^ - > C _ 2 H _ 5 O ^ -

Answer

B. I ^ - > C _ 2 H _ 5 O ^ - > C _ 6 H _ 5 O ^ - > F ^ -

Step-by-step solution

In methanol (protic solvent), nucleophilicity is determined by basicity and solvation effects. Smaller ions are heavily solvated by the protic solvent, reducing their effective nucleophilicity. C₂H₅O⁻ (ethoxide) is the strongest nucleophile as it is less solvated and highly basic. C₆H₅O⁻ (phenoxide) is weaker due to resonance stabilization by the benzene ring. F⁻ is highly solvated despite high basicity, reducing its nucleophilicity significantly. I⁻ is the best nucleophile because it is the largest ion and least solvated in methanol. The correct order is I⁻ > C₂H₅O⁻ > C₆H₅O⁻ > F⁻.

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Related: Chemistry — Haloalkanes and Haloarenes · All PYQ Banks