Question

Which of the following statements are correct about the reaction intermediate?

(i) Intermediate (c) is unstable because in this carbon is attached to 5 atoms.

(ii) Intermediate (c) is unstable because carbon atom is sp² hybridised.

(iii) Intermediate (c) is stable because carbon atom is sp² hybridised.

(iv) Intermediate (c) is less stable than the reactant (b).

Answer 1

(i) Intermediate (c) is unstable because in this carbon is attached to 5 atoms.

(iv) Intermediate (c) is less stable than the reactant (b).

Explanation:

In the transition state, the carbon atom is simultaneously bonded to incoming nucleophiles and the outgoing leaving group and such are unstable and cannot be isolated. This is because the carbon atom in the transition state is simultaneously bonded to five atoms and therefore is unstable.