Question

The chlorine atom of the following compound

that reacts most readily with AgNO₃ to give a precipitate is

(a) Cl^a

(b) Cl^b

(c) Cl^c

(d) Cl^d

Answer 1

Answer is : (a) Cl^a

The reaction between haloalkane and AgNO₃ gives carbocation intermediate. So, more easily it will be formed, more readily it will react to give precipitate.

In the given compound

Cl^a is easily lost from this compound and carbocation formation takes place readily. This is because this Cl^a is closest to electronegative atom O, which will attract the electron density towards itself and readily leaves C – Cl^a bond.

Hence, it will most readily react with AgNO₃ to give precipitate.