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Grade 12Organic Chemistry

Why are aryl halides less reactive towards nucleophilic substitution reactions than alkyl halides? How can we enhance the reactivity of aryl halides?

Profile image of HARSH
7 Years agoGrade 12
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1 Answer

Profile image of Arun
7 Years ago

Aryl halides have partial double bond character because of the resonance of the lone pair of the halide with the benzene ring, and thus the bond energy of aryl halides is greater as compared to alkyl halides.

Hence, the (C-X) bond is harder to break in aryl halides than in alkyl halides, and therefore aryl halides are less reactive than alkyl halides.