In Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution (SNAr) via the bimolecular addition-elimination mechanism, wha — Aromatic Hydrocarbons Chemistry Question
Question
In Nucleophilic Aromatic Substitution (SNAr) via the bimolecular addition-elimination mechanism, what is the reactivity order of halogens acting as leaving groups on a p-nitrophenyl ring?
Answer: A
💡 Solution & Explanation
In SNAr, the initial Addition step is the rate-determining step, not the bond breaking. Fluorine is highly electronegative, strongly polarizing the $C-F$ bond to accelerate nucleophilic attack and stabilizing the resulting Meisenheimer carbanion, making $F$ the best leaving group.
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