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JEE Main levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 2 of 3o3071

Allyl bromide reacts with iodide in acetone considerably faster than 1-bromopropane although both are primary. The best explanation is that in the SN2 transition state

  1. Athe C=C bond forces the reaction to follow an SN1 pathway through a vinyl cation
  2. Bthe p orbital on the reacting carbon overlaps with the system of the C=C bond, which stabilises the transition state
  3. Cthe double bond donates electrons into the C-Br sigma bond and makes bromide a poorer leaving group
  4. Dthe double bond makes the carbon bearing bromine more hindered to the nucleophile

Answer: B

The pentacoordinate SN2 transition state has a p-like orbital on carbon, which can conjugate with the adjacent bond. This delocalisation lowers the transition-state energy and speeds up reaction. The allylic carbon is not more hindered, and no vinyl cation is involved.
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More questions on SN2 mechanism, rate, stereochemistry, steric effects