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JEE Advanced levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 3 of 3o2095

Assertion (A): Free radical bromination of propane gives mainly 2-bromopropane, whereas chlorination gives a considerable amount of 1-chloropropane. Reason (R): Hydrogen abstraction by is endothermic, has a late transition state with high radical character, and therefore discriminates strongly between secondary and primary hydrogens.

  1. ABoth A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
  2. BBoth A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
  3. CA is true but R is false
  4. DA is false but R is true

Answer: A

Bromination of propane gives about 97% of 2-bromopropane, whereas chlorination gives about 45% of 1-chloropropane. The reason is the endothermic H abstraction by with a late transition state in which the radical stability difference is nearly fully felt, so R correctly explains A.
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