Reactivity of 1,2,3 degree carbon in Substitution Reaction
Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 8:55 am
In the substitution raction of Alkane with Halogen, the reactivity series(that means which carbon is most likely to bond with a halogen atom) or Carbon atoms in that Alkane is: 1 degree carbon < 2 degree carbon < 3 degree.... but, the most unstable atom should be the most ractive atom. 1 degree carbon has only 1 carbon atom attached to it, and three hydrogen atoms on it. So, it should be more unstable; coz, the electro-negativity of H is 2.1 and C is 2.5 . so 1 degree carbon atom has more dipole attribute than 3 degree Carbon atom; .4*3 = 1.2 > .4
So, the activity series should be 3<2<1
another fact that came into my mind while writing this is that, IF C-H bond energy is lesser than C-C bond energy, then the halogen atom should attack the C-H bond, isn't it? So, the activity series again should be 3<2<1
So, the activity series should be 3<2<1
another fact that came into my mind while writing this is that, IF C-H bond energy is lesser than C-C bond energy, then the halogen atom should attack the C-H bond, isn't it? So, the activity series again should be 3<2<1