Understanding Steric Hindrance

What is steric hindrance?

• Attraction between two bonded groups

• Repulsion between two non-bonding groups

• Formation of a new bond between groups

• Breaking of a bond between groups

What happens when the distance between two alkyl groups is less than the van der Waals radius?

• They remain unaffected

• They attract each other

• They form a new bond

• They repel each other

Why is trans-but-2-ene more stable than cis-but-2-ene?

• Trans-but-2-ene has more steric hindrance

• Cis-but-2-ene is more reactive

• Cis-but-2-ene has less steric hindrance

• Trans-but-2-ene has no steric hindrance

What is the effect of increased steric hindrance on molecular stability?

• Increases stability

• Stability fluctuates

• Decreases stability

• Has no effect

In an SN2 reaction, which type of carbon is most reactive?

• Methyl carbon

• Primary carbon

• Tertiary carbon

• Secondary carbon

Why is an SN2 reaction slower in secondary carbons compared to primary carbons?

• Less steric hindrance in secondary carbons

• Less nucleophiles in secondary carbons

• More steric hindrance in secondary carbons

• More nucleophiles in secondary carbons

Why is an SN2 reaction not possible in tertiary carbons?

• Due to high steric hindrance

• Due to high nucleophilic attack

• Due to low steric hindrance

• Due to low nucleophilic attack

What type of reaction do tertiary alkyl halides typically undergo?

• E1 reaction

• E2 reaction

• SN2 reaction

• SN1 reaction

What is the role of a nucleophile in an SN2 reaction?

• To donate electrons

• To leave the molecule

• To form a new bond

• To accept electrons

Which factor primarily determines the rate of an SN2 reaction?

• Type of solvent

• Temperature

• Concentration of nucleophile

• Steric hindrance