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JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3hc010

Bromination of 2-methylpropane gives almost exclusively 2-bromo-2-methylpropane, whereas chlorination gives a mixture. The best explanation is that

  1. Ahydrogen abstraction by is endothermic, so the transition state is late and resembles the alkyl radical, which magnifies differences in radical stability
  2. B is more reactive than , so it finds the tertiary hydrogen more easily
  3. Cthe bond is stronger than the bond
  4. D is more easily homolysed than in light

Answer: A

For abstracting H from an alkane the step is endothermic, so by Hammond's postulate the transition state is late and carries much radical character. Tertiary radical stability then strongly lowers the barrier. Chlorine abstraction is exothermic with an early transition state, hence less selective.
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