Question

1. These questions consider carbocation formation in SN1 reactions.

a. Which should be more reactive in an Sn1 reaction, a primary alkyl halide or a secondary alkyl halide?

b. Which reactions that you performed today compare ONLY the reactivity of primary and secondary alkyl halides and not any other effect?

c. What were the reaction times for these reactions?

d. Do the results of these reactions match what you would expect theoretically?

e. In one or two sentences, summarize the results that you have found that compare the reactivity of primary and secondary alkyl halides. Include the specific data that prove your point.

Alkyl Halides used:

1-chlorobutane

1-bromobutane

2-chlorobutane

2-bromobutane

2-chloro-2-methyl propane

2-bromo-2-methyl propane

1-chloro-2-methylpropane

Answer 1

a. A secondary alkyl halide is more reactive.

b. Reactivity: secondary alkyl halide > primary alkyl halide

c. Reaction times: secondary alkyl halide < primary alkyl halide

d. Yes.

e. The secondary carbocation is more stable than the primary carbocation, which is the proof to say that secondary alkyl halide is more reactive than the primary alkyl halide in SN1 reaction.