Questions: Which alkyl halide makes the best starting material for a substitution reaction? a) Alkyl bromide b) Alkyl iodide c) Alkyl chloride d) Alkyl fluoride

Which alkyl halide makes the best starting material for a substitution reaction?
a) Alkyl bromide
b) Alkyl iodide
c) Alkyl chloride
d) Alkyl fluoride

Transcript text: Which alkyl halide makes the best starting material for a substitution reaction? a) Alkyl bromide b) Alkyl iodide c) Alkyl chloride d) Alkyl fluoride

Solution

Solution Steps

Step 1: Understanding the Reactivity of Alkyl Halides

Alkyl halides undergo substitution reactions where the halide (leaving group) is replaced by another group. The reactivity of alkyl halides in substitution reactions depends on the strength of the carbon-halogen bond and the stability of the leaving group.

Step 2: Comparing Leaving Group Abilities

The leaving group ability of halides increases as the bond strength between the carbon and the halogen decreases. The order of bond strength from strongest to weakest is:

C-F (strongest)
C-Cl
C-Br
C-I (weakest)

Step 3: Determining the Best Starting Material

Since a weaker carbon-halogen bond means a better leaving group, alkyl iodides have the weakest bond and thus the best leaving group ability. This makes alkyl iodides the most reactive in substitution reactions.

Final Answer

\(\boxed{\text{b) Alkyl iodide}}\)

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