In a nucleophilic substitution reaction, methyl chloride reacts significantly faster than ethyl chloride. What anomaly in the transition state causes this speed difference?
Q1. In a nucleophilic substitution reaction, methyl chloride reacts significantly faster than ethyl chloride. What anomaly in the transition state causes this speed difference?
Answer: Steric hindrance
Explanation: The ethyl group's extra carbon increases steric crowding in the SN2 transition state; the inductive effect is tempting but primarily stabilizes carbocations.