Which of the following factors is the dominating factor in determining the reactivity of haloalkanes?

Which of the following factors is the dominating factor in determining the reactivity of haloalkanes?

• A. Polarity of the carbon-halogen bond.
• B. Bond enthalpy of the carbon-halogen bond.
• C. Size of the halogen atom.
• D. Presence of other functional groups.

Answer: (B)

The reactivity of haloalkanes is primarily influenced by the bond enthalpy of the carbon-halogen bond. This bond enthalpy reflects the strength of the bond between the carbon atom and the halogen atom; weaker bonds break more easily, leading to higher reactivity. In general, the bond enthalpy decreases as you move down the group in the halogens from fluorine to iodine (i.e., C-F bonds are stronger and thus less reactive compared to C-I bonds). Consequently, the weaker the bond, the more likely it is that the haloalkane will participate in nucleophilic substitution reactions, resulting in increased reactivity. While the polarity of the carbon-halogen bond can influence the type of reactions that occur (such as dipole interactions), it does not play as crucial a role in the overall reactivity compared to bond enthalpy. The size of the halogen atom affects steric hindrance and reactivity indirectly but is not a primary factor. Similarly, the presence of other functional groups can influence reactivity through their electronic effects, but they do not dominate the reactivity trends observed with haloalkanes. Thus, bond enthalpy serves as the most significant factor in determining the reactivity of haloalk

The reactivity of haloalkanes is primarily influenced by the bond enthalpy of the carbon-halogen bond. This bond enthalpy reflects the strength of the bond between the carbon atom and the halogen atom; weaker bonds break more easily, leading to higher reactivity. In general, the bond enthalpy decreases as you move down the group in the halogens from fluorine to iodine (i.e., C-F bonds are stronger and thus less reactive compared to C-I bonds). Consequently, the weaker the bond, the more likely it is that the haloalkane will participate in nucleophilic substitution reactions, resulting in increased reactivity.

While the polarity of the carbon-halogen bond can influence the type of reactions that occur (such as dipole interactions), it does not play as crucial a role in the overall reactivity compared to bond enthalpy. The size of the halogen atom affects steric hindrance and reactivity indirectly but is not a primary factor. Similarly, the presence of other functional groups can influence reactivity through their electronic effects, but they do not dominate the reactivity trends observed with haloalkanes. Thus, bond enthalpy serves as the most significant factor in determining the reactivity of haloalk