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JEE Advanced levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 3 of 3o2093

Use the bond dissociation energies , and . The enthalpy changes (kJ/mol) for the hydrogen abstraction steps for X = Cl and X = Br respectively are

  1. A+4 and -69
  2. B+4 and +69
  3. C+69 and +4
  4. D-4 and -69

Answer: B

, bond broken minus bond formed. For Cl: . For Br: . The much more endothermic bromine step has a late transition state and hence is more selective.
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