Q. The relative reactivities of acyl compounds towards nucleophilic substitution are in the order of
A) Acyl chloride > Ester > Acid anhydride > Amide
B) Acyl chloride > Acid anhydride > Ester > Amide
C) Ester > Acyl chloride > Amide > Acid anhydride
D) Acid anhydride > Amide > Ester > Acyl chloride
Explanation
[Solution from source] Reactivity in nucleophilic acyl substitution follows how easily the leaving group departs: Cl⁻ > RCOO⁻ > RO⁻ > NH₂⁻, the weaker the base the better. So acyl chloride > acid anhydride > ester > amide. Placing ester above anhydride ignores that carboxylate is a better leaving group than alkoxide. Answer (2).
Reviewed by Dr. Abubacker
Physics Educator & NEET/JEE Specialist
Ph.D. in Physics with 19+ years of teaching experience.