Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Alkyl Halides
Alkyl halides are organic compounds derived from alkanes by replacing one or more hydrogen atoms with halogen atoms (F, Cl, Br, I). They are classified based on the number of carbon atoms attached to the carbon bearing the halogen: primary, secondary, or tertiary. The structure of the alkyl halide significantly influences its reactivity and the types of reactions it can undergo.
Recommended video:
How to name alkyl halides
Nucleophilic Substitution Reactions
Nucleophilic substitution reactions involve the replacement of a leaving group (like a halogen) by a nucleophile. The mechanism can be either SN1 or SN2, depending on the structure of the alkyl halide and the conditions of the reaction. SN2 reactions are favored by primary alkyl halides due to steric accessibility, while SN1 reactions are more common with tertiary alkyl halides due to stability of the carbocation intermediate.
Recommended video:
Nucleophiles and Electrophiles can react in Substitution Reactions.
Reaction Yield
Reaction yield refers to the amount of product obtained from a chemical reaction compared to the theoretical maximum amount possible. Factors influencing yield include the structure of the starting materials, reaction conditions, and the presence of competing reactions. In the context of alkyl halides, the stability of the resulting product and the efficiency of the substitution mechanism play crucial roles in determining which alkyl halide will be produced in the greatest yield.
Recommended video:
Draw all of the monochlorination products and calculate percentage yields.