Question

Compared to haloalkanes, the reactivity of haloarenes towards nucleophilic substitution reactions is _________

(a) low

(b) high

(c) very high

(d) equal

This question was posed to me in an internship interview.

My doubt stems from Haloalkanes & Haloarenes topic in chapter Haloalkanes and Haloarenes of Chemistry – Class 12

Answer 1

Correct option is (a) low

For explanation I would say: Haloarenes form resonating structures in which the carbon-halogen bond acquires a partial double bond character and its cleavage is difficult. Hence, they are less reactive towards nucleophilic substitution reactions.