Question
p-methoxy benzyl bromide reacts faster than para nitrobenzyl bromide with ethanol to form an ether product. Explain why?
Solution
p-methoxy benzyl bromide reacts faster than p-nitrobenzyl bromide because NO2group at p-position is an electron withdrawing, the electron density reduced at o- and p-position. Nitro group is resonance hybrid so it produces steric hindrance.
So p-methoxy benzyl bromide reacts faster than p-nitro benzyl bromide. The p-methoxy is a primary substituted.