In the context of nucleophilic substitution reactions of alkyl halides, which of the following halogens forms a carbon-halogen bond with the lowest bond dissociation enthalpy, and what is the direct k

Question

In the context of nucleophilic substitution reactions of alkyl halides, which of the following halogens forms a carbon-halogen bond with the lowest bond dissociation enthalpy, and what is the direct kinetic consequence of this property?

Prashant Kotian · Accepted Answer

Correct answer: C. The order of bond dissociation enthalpy for carbon-halogen bonds is . Because iodine is the largest halogen, the bond features the poorest orbital overlap (carbon's with iodine's ), making it the weakest bond. Consequently, less activation energy is required to break it heterolytically, making the iodide ion () an excellent leaving group. This results in alkyl iodides being the most reactive alkyl halides in both and mechanisms.

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