AIIMS2019Chemistry-Organic Chemistry

AIIMS 2019 Chemistry Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions MCQ Question

Type: MCQ-conceptual-Medium-Class 11

Correct order of SN2 reaction is:

Question diagram
A

iii > i > ii

B

iii > ii > i

C

i > iii > ii

D

i > ii > iii

Correct Answer

Option D

Detailed Explanation

In an Sₙ2 reaction, the nucleophile attacks the electrophile in a single concerted step, favoring less sterically hindered substrates. Carbocation stability decreases with increasing steric hindrance, making option D (iii > i > ii) correct, as the least hindered substrate (iii) reacts more readily than the more hindered ones (i and ii). Options A, B, and C incorrectly rank the substrates based on steric hindrance, failing to recognize that greater steric bulk around the electrophilic carbon impedes the nucleophilic attack, thus slowing the reaction rate.

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