Question

Rank the compounds shown from most to least reactive in an SN2 reaction.

A) CH3Cl, CH3Br, CH3I
B) CH3I, CH3Br, CH3Cl
C) CH3Br, CH3Cl, CH3I
D) CH3I, CH3Cl, CH3Br

Answer 1

The compounds CH3I, CH3Br, and CH3Cl should be ranked from most to least reactive in an SN2 reaction based on the leaving group ability, resulting in the order CH3I, CH3Br, CH3Cl.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks us to rank the compounds CH3Cl, CH3Br, and CH3I from most to least reactive in an SN2 reaction. In an SN2 reaction, the reactivity is influenced by the ability of the leaving group to depart. Since iodide is a better leaving group than bromide, which is in turn better than chloride, the correct order of reactivity from most to least reactive is CH3I, CH3Br, CH3Cl. Therefore, the correct answer is B) CH3I, CH3Br, CH3Cl.