Arrange the compounds of each set in order of reactivity towards SN2 displacement:
2-Bromo-2-methylbutane, 1-Bromopentane, 2-Bromopentane
The reaction involves the approaching of the nucleophile to the carbon atom to which the leaving group is attached. When the nucleophile is sterically hindered(does not have any free space or very crowded), then the reactivity towards SN2 displacement decreases. Due to the presence of substituents, hindrance to the approaching nucleophile increases in the following order.
1-Bromopentane < 2-bromopentane < 2-Bromo-2-methylbutane.
The structures are shown below:
Hence, the increasing order of reactivity towards SN2 displacement is:
2-Bromo-2-methylbutane < 2-Bromopentane < 1-Bromopentane
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