Question

in the order of reactivity of alcohols if the reaction follows sn2 mechanism then no carbocation would be generated ,then how to decide the order of reactivity??

Answer 1

S_N2 reaction is a single step reaction in which the Nucleophile attacks from the direction opposite to that of the leaving group, hence if the alcohol is bulky i.e. more substituted the attack on nucleophile becomes more difficult. Hence the order of reactivity is 1>2>3 Carbocations for alcohols.