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JEE Advanced levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 3 of 3g1214

Which of the following halides ionises most readily to a carbocation (heterolysis of the C-Br bond)?

  1. A5-bromocyclopenta-1,3-diene
  2. Bbromocyclohexane
  3. Cbromocyclopropane
  4. D7-bromocyclohepta-1,3,5-triene

Answer: D

Ionisation of 7-bromocyclohepta-1,3,5-triene gives the tropylium cation, planar with 6 pi electrons (aromatic), so the bromide is almost ionic. 5-Bromocyclopenta-1,3-diene would give the antiaromatic cyclopentadienyl cation (4 pi electrons), bromocyclohexane gives a simple secondary cation, and bromocyclopropane gives a highly strained cation.
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