The correct order of the rate of the reaction for the following reaction with respect to nucleophiles is
Q. The correct order of the rate of the reaction for the following reaction with respect to nucleophiles is :

\[ CH_3Br + Nu^- \rightarrow CH_3Nu + Br^- \]
A. \( ClO_4^- > CH_3COO^- > OH^- > PhO^- \)
B. \( OH^- > PhO^- > CH_3COO^- > ClO_4^- \)
C. \( CH_3COO^- > PhO^- > OH^- > ClO_4^- \)
D. \( PhO^- > OH^- > CH_3COO^- > ClO_4^- \)
Correct Answer: B

Explanation

The reaction given is:

\[ CH_3Br + Nu^- \rightarrow CH_3Nu + Br^- \]

This is a typical SN2 reaction because CH₃Br is a methyl halide. In SN2 reactions, the rate depends directly on the strength of the nucleophile.

Rate ∝ Nucleophilicity

All the species given are negatively charged nucleophiles. In such cases, nucleophilicity generally parallels basicity when steric hindrance is minimal.

Compare their basic strengths:

\[ OH^- \; \text{(strong base)} \]

\[ PhO^- \; \text{(phenoxide; resonance stabilized, less basic than OH^-)} \]

\[ CH_3COO^- \; \text{(acetate; strongly resonance stabilized, weaker base)} \]

\[ ClO_4^- \; \text{(perchlorate; highly resonance stabilized, very weak base)} \]

Greater resonance stabilization reduces electron density available for attack, thereby reducing nucleophilicity.

Thus, the decreasing order of nucleophilicity is:

\[ OH^- > PhO^- > CH_3COO^- > ClO_4^- \]

Hence, the rate of reaction follows the same order.

Correct Option: B

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