Question

Arrange following compounds according to their reactivity with alc. silver nitrate.

• A. $CC{l}_4$ > tert-Butyl chloride > sec- butyl chloride > n-butyl chloride
• B. n- butyl chloride > sec- butyl chloride > tert-Butyl chloride > $CC{l}_4$
• C. tert-Butyl chloride < sec -butyl chloride < n -butyl chloride < $CC{l}_4$
• D. tert-Butyl chloride > sec -butyl chloride > n- butyl chloride > $CC{l}_4$

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

tert-Butyl chloride > sec -butyl chloride > n- butyl chloride > $CC{l}_4$

The reactivity order depends on the stability of carbocation. Tert butyl carbocation has maximum stability. Hence, tert-Butyl chloride has maximum reactivity.

Trichloro methyl carbocation has minimum stability (due to -I effect of chlorine atoms). Hence, carbon tetrachloride has minimum reactivity.

The correct order for the reactivity with alc. silver nitrate is :

tert-Butyl chloride > sec -butyl chloride > n -butyl chloride > carbon tetrachloride.

Option D is correct.