[cfr]

hello,
i have some lab questions that I am confused about I hope you can help.

i have to arrange halides in order of decreasing reactivity toward ethanol silver nitrate

1-chlorobutane
2-chlorobutane
2-chloro-2-methylpropane
allyl chloride
benzyl chloride
chlorobenzene

also for reactivity with sodium iodide

1-bromobutane
2-bromobutane
2-bromo-2-methylpropane
allyl bromide
benzyl bromide
bromobenzene

thank you

[discodermolide]

hello,
i have some lab questions that I am confused about I hope you can help.

i have to arrange halides in order of decreasing reactivity toward ethanol silver nitrate

1-chlorobutane
2-chlorobutane
2-chloro-2-methylpropane
allyl chloride
benzyl chloride
chlorobenzene

also for reactivity with sodium iodide

1-bromobutane
2-bromobutane
2-bromo-2-methylpropane
allyl bromide
benzyl bromide
bromobenzene

thank you

These are all nucleophillic displacement reactions. The order is the same for both nucleophiles, nitro and iodide.
To start you off, chloro/bromobenzene is the least reactive towards both reagents

[Modestus]

I might be able to give a hint, go back and look at the mechanisms in your text book and pay particular attention to steric crowding and the stability of carbon cations; also, it's always helped me to draw out the molecule. If that doesn't really help, post again and call me butt head. I'd be happy to explain in greater detail.