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because the bond between the halogen and the carbon in the benzene ring (aryl halide) or a carbon participating in a double bond (vinylic halide) is much too strong--stronger than that of an alkyl halide--to be broken by a nucleophile (Sn2). Also the electrons of the double bond or benzene ring repel the approach of a nucleophile from the backside. They do not undergo Sn1 reactions because the carbocation intermediate they would produce is unstable and does not readily form.

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15y ago
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5mo ago

Aryl halides do not undergo nucleophilic substitution reactions easily due to the high electron density on the aromatic ring, which stabilizes the molecule and hinders the attack of nucleophiles. This is known as the poor reactivity of aryl halides towards nucleophilic substitution reactions.

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15y ago

You cannot do Sn1 or Sn2 on an sp2 center. The reaction only works with sp3 centers. It has to do with the way the LUMO on the electrophile is positioned. A LUMO on an sp3 center is a sigma* antibonding orbital - easily attacked by the lone pair on a nucleophile (which is sigma-like). The LUMO on an sp2 center is a pi* antibonding orbital, which cannot be attacked by a sigma-like orbital.

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11y ago

There is a more rigorous molecular orbital theory argument that can be made why an aryl halide will not do a nucleophilic substitution, but if you just look at the transition state of either the halide leaving (as in SN1) or the nucleophile initiating a backside attack (as in SN2), you can see that both involve unfavorable bond geometry and/or high steric hindrance.

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Q: Why don't aryl halides undergo nucleophilic substitution reactions?
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Is it possible for an alkyl halide to undergo sn1 and also sn2 reactions?

Yes, alkyl halides can undergo both SN1 (substitution nucleophilic unimolecular) and SN2 (substitution nucleophilic bimolecular) reactions. The reaction mechanism depends on factors such as the structure of the alkyl halide, the nucleophile, and the solvent used. SN1 reactions proceed through a carbocation intermediate, while SN2 reactions occur with direct nucleophilic attack on the alkyl halide.


Why alkyl halides undergo elimination reaction?

Alkyl halides undergo elimination reactions, such as E2 and E1, to form alkenes and hydrogen halides. This occurs in the presence of a base or nucleophile due to the tendency of the halide to leave, resulting in the formation of a double bond. The presence of a strong base favors elimination over substitution reactions.


Why haloaranes are much less reactive than haloalkanes towards nuclophillic substitution rxn?

Haloarenes are less reactive than haloalkanes towards nucleophilic substitution reactions because the aromaticity of the benzene ring in haloarenes provides extra stability to the molecule. This stability reduces the likelihood of breaking the aromaticity of the ring during the substitution reaction. In contrast, haloalkanes do not possess this extra stabilization, making them more prone to undergo nucleophilic substitution reactions.


Why vinyl halide do not undergo nucleophilic substitution?

Vinyl halides do not undergo nucleophilic substitution easily because the presence of the double bond hinders the attack of the nucleophile at the electrophilic carbon of the halide. The pi bond in the vinyl group stabilizes the molecule, making it less reactive towards nucleophiles. Additionally, the transition state for nucleophilic substitution at the sp2 carbon is less favorable compared to an sp3 carbon due to geometric constraints.


Why furan do not show nucleophilic subtitution reaction?

Furan does not typically undergo nucleophilic substitution reactions because of its aromatic nature, which offers stability due to delocalization of the pi electrons in the ring. This makes furan less reactive towards nucleophilic attack compared to non-aromatic compounds.

Related questions

Why alkyl halides undergoSN reactions or elimination reactins in priority?

Alkyl halides undergo both nucleophilic substituions reactions and Elimination reractions depending upon the conditions...In the presence they undergo Elimination Reactions , while in the presence of nucleophile they undergo SN reactions...By: Farman ullah ,Azim kala, masha mansoor, lakki marwat, kpk,Pakistan+92321-9632344


Is it possible for an alkyl halide to undergo sn1 and also sn2 reactions?

Yes, alkyl halides can undergo both SN1 (substitution nucleophilic unimolecular) and SN2 (substitution nucleophilic bimolecular) reactions. The reaction mechanism depends on factors such as the structure of the alkyl halide, the nucleophile, and the solvent used. SN1 reactions proceed through a carbocation intermediate, while SN2 reactions occur with direct nucleophilic attack on the alkyl halide.


Aryl halide do not undergo SN reaction?

Due to the bulky nature of the aryl group, aryl halides do not undergo SN reactions easily. Additionally, the carbon-halogen bond in aryl halides is strengthened due to resonance stabilization, making it more difficult for nucleophiles to displace the halogen atom. This results in aryl halides being more prone to undergo elimination reactions (E1 and E2) instead of substitution reactions.


Why alkyl halides undergo elimination reaction?

Alkyl halides undergo elimination reactions, such as E2 and E1, to form alkenes and hydrogen halides. This occurs in the presence of a base or nucleophile due to the tendency of the halide to leave, resulting in the formation of a double bond. The presence of a strong base favors elimination over substitution reactions.


Why haloaranes are much less reactive than haloalkanes towards nuclophillic substitution rxn?

Haloarenes are less reactive than haloalkanes towards nucleophilic substitution reactions because the aromaticity of the benzene ring in haloarenes provides extra stability to the molecule. This stability reduces the likelihood of breaking the aromaticity of the ring during the substitution reaction. In contrast, haloalkanes do not possess this extra stabilization, making them more prone to undergo nucleophilic substitution reactions.


Why benzene undergo electrophilic substitution reaction easily and nucleophilic substution reaction with difficulty easily and?

Benzene undergoes electrophilic substitution reactions easily due to its delocalized pi electrons that can stabilize the positive charge of the electrophile. On the other hand, benzene does not readily undergo nucleophilic substitution reactions because the aromatic system is already stable due to resonance, making it difficult for nucleophiles to attack and substitute a hydrogen atom.


Why vinyl halide do not undergo nucleophilic substitution?

Vinyl halides do not undergo nucleophilic substitution easily because the presence of the double bond hinders the attack of the nucleophile at the electrophilic carbon of the halide. The pi bond in the vinyl group stabilizes the molecule, making it less reactive towards nucleophiles. Additionally, the transition state for nucleophilic substitution at the sp2 carbon is less favorable compared to an sp3 carbon due to geometric constraints.


Why furan do not show nucleophilic subtitution reaction?

Furan does not typically undergo nucleophilic substitution reactions because of its aromatic nature, which offers stability due to delocalization of the pi electrons in the ring. This makes furan less reactive towards nucleophilic attack compared to non-aromatic compounds.


Comment Pyridine undergo nucleophilic and electrophilic substitution reaction?

Pyridine can undergo nucleophilic substitution reactions at the C2 and C4 positions due to the presence of its nitrogen lone pair. It can also undergo electrophilic substitution reactions, such as Friedel-Crafts acylation and alkylation, where electrophiles attack the aromatic ring. These reactions are commonly used to functionalize pyridine derivatives for various synthetic transformations.


What do you get when NaNH2 is dissolved in an alcohol?

When NaNH2 is dissolved in an alcohol, it acts as a strong base that can deprotonate the alcohol molecule on its α-carbon, forming an alkoxide ion. This alkoxide ion can undergo further reactions like nucleophilic substitution or elimination reactions.


What reaction does aromatics undergo?

Aromatics can undergo electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions, where an electrophile replaces a hydrogen atom on the aromatic ring. This leads to the formation of a new substituted aromatic compound.


Why do alkyl halides undergo the nucleophlic subtitution reaction?

Alkyl halides undergo nucleophilic substitution reactions due to the relatively weak carbon-halogen bond, making it susceptible to attack by nucleophiles. The nucleophile replaces the leaving group, resulting in a new compound with substitution at the carbon-halogen bond.