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JEE Advanced levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 3 of 3g3200

Conformers A and B interconvert much faster than either reacts, and each gives a different product irreversibly (A gives PA, B gives PB). B is higher in free energy than A. The transition state leading to PA lies above A and that leading to PB lies above A. At 298 K () the product ratio is about

  1. APA : PB 5 : 1
  2. BPB : PA 5 : 1
  3. CPA : PB 25 : 1
  4. DPB : PA 127 : 1

Answer: B

Under Curtin-Hammett conditions the product ratio depends only on the free-energy difference of the two transition states, here 62.0 - 58.0 = 4.0 kJ/mol in favour of PB. . The ratio 25.3 is the population ratio A:B, and 126.9 is the ratio of rate constants k(B)/k(A), which is not the product ratio.
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