Question

$R-OH+HX\to RX+H_{2}O$. the reactivity of alcohols is

• A. Tertiary > secondary > primary
• B. Tertiary < secondary < primary
• C. Tertiary > primary > secondary
• D. Secondary > primary > tertiary

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

The reaction $R-OH+HX\to RX+H_{2}O$ is a nucleophilic substitution reaction where the reactivity of $R-OH$ will depend upon the stability of carbocation that is formed during the reaction via $S_{N}1$ mechanism.
Tertiary carbocations are more stable due to + Inductive effect of alkyl groups then is secondary and least stable is primary carbocation. The reactivity of alcohols will follow the order Tertiary alcohol > secondary alcohol > primary alcohol