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JEE Main levelOne or more correct optionsDifficulty 2 of 3hc176

Which of the following statements about free radical halogenation of alkanes are correct? (Use the bond dissociation energies: primary C-H 101 kcal/mol, secondary C-H 98.6 kcal/mol, H-Cl 103 kcal/mol, H-Br 87.5 kcal/mol.)

  1. ABromination of 2-methylpropane gives mainly 2-bromo-2-methylpropane
  2. BChlorination is more selective than bromination between tertiary and primary C-H bonds
  3. CHydrogen abstraction from a secondary C-H by is endothermic
  4. DHydrogen abstraction from a primary C-H of propane by is exothermic

Answer: A, C, D

Bromine radical is less reactive and so more selective, giving mainly the tertiary bromide (a true). Statement b is reversed. Using bond energies, secondary C-H is about 98.6 kcal/mol and H-Br about 87.5 kcal/mol, so abstraction by is endothermic (c true). Primary C-H is about 101 kcal/mol and H-Cl about 103 kcal/mol, so abstraction by is slightly exothermic (d true).
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