Moderate

The main factor which decides the reactivity of (R-X) is

Correct answer: A. C-X bond strength

  • A. C-X bond strength
  • B. C-X bond polarity
  • C. Both C- X bond strength and polarity
  • D. Boiling point of the given R-X

Explanation

The main factor that decides the reactivity of alkyl halides is the bond strength of the C-X bond. The strength of the carbon-halogen bond (C-X) is a crucial factor. Weaker bonds are generally more reactive because they are easier to break. As you move down the halogens in a given alkyl group, the bond strength typically decreases. For example, in a series like CH3-X, the reactivity increases as you go from F to Cl to Br to I. So, the weaker the C-X bond, the more reactive the alkyl halide is likely to be in substitution or elimination reactions. This reactivity trend is commonly observed in nucleophilic substitution and elimination reactions involving alkyl halides.

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About Alkyl Halides

Alkyl halides are named and related to their carbon-halogen structure, polarity and reactivity. The key reactions are nucleophilic substitution by SN1 and SN2 mechanisms and elimination by E1 and E2 mechanisms, including how substrate structure, nucleophile, base, solvent and temperature influence substitution versus elimination.

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