18-18-6 P-a - Organic Chemistry (Mcmurry)

Question

Rank the following halides in order of their reactivity in Williamson synthesis:

1. Bromoethane, 2-bromopropane, bromobenzene
2. Chloroethane, bromoethane, 1-iodopropene

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

a) The rank of the given halides in order of their reactivity is,

Williamson synthesis

The method used for simple and mixed ethers is the Williamson ether synthesis method. The best alkyl halides used are methyl and primary alkyl halides because they have the least steric hindrance. So, primary alkyl halides are the most reactive.

The rank of halides in order of their reactivity in Williamson synthesis

a) From the given alkyl halides, bromoethane is a primary halide, 2-bromopropane is a secondary halide, and bromobenzene is not reactive. We know that in Williamson synthesis, primary halides give the best yields. Bromobenzene (Aryl halides) is least reactive towards nucleophilic substitution reaction. Thus, bromoethane is the most reactive, and bromobenzene is the least reactive.

   

   The rank of halides in order of their reactivity