Predict the order of reactivity of the following four isomers towards $\mathrm{S}_{\mathrm{N}} 2$ reaction.…
Predict the order of reactivity of the following four isomers towards $\mathrm{S}_{\mathrm{N}} 2$ reaction.
(I) $\mathrm{CH}_3 \mathrm{CH}_2 \mathrm{CH}_2 \mathrm{CH}_2 \mathrm{Cl}$
(II) $\mathrm{CH}_3 \mathrm{CH}_2 \mathrm{CH}(\mathrm{Cl}) \mathrm{CH}_3$
(III) $\left(\mathrm{CH}_3\right)_2 \mathrm{CHCH}_2 \mathrm{Cl}$
(IV) $\left(\mathrm{CH}_3\right)_3 \mathrm{CCl}$
(IV) $>$ (III) $>$ (II) $>$ (I)
(I) $>$ (II) $>$ (III) $>$ (IV)
(I) $>$ (III) $>$ (II) $>$ (IV)
(IV) $>$ (II) $>$ (III) $>$ (I)
Solution
The rate of reaction decreases with increase in stearu crowding around the substrate centre.
$\therefore \quad$ Rate of $\mathrm{S}_{\mathrm{N}}^2 \propto \frac{1}{\text { Stearic crowding }}$
$\therefore$ Rate of reactivity order is $: \mathrm{I}>$ III $>$ II $>$ IV