When butane reacts with Br2 in the presence of Cl2, both brominated and chlorinated products are obtained. Under such conditions, the usual selectivity of bromination is not observed. In other words, the ratio of 2-bromobutane to 1-bromobutane is very similar to the ratio of 2-chlorobutane to 1-chlorobutane. Can you offer and explanation as to why we do not observe the normal selectivity expected for bromination

Bromine radical formation is carried out in the presence of Br₂ and Cl₂ causing the normal selectivity not to be observed ( this causes the difference in activation energy to be reduced )

Explanation:

Why the normal selectivity expected for bromination is not observed

On the basis of selectivity and applying the Arrhenius equation the greater the difference between the activation energies the more the selectivity.

as seen in the formation of primary and secondary radicals in the Bromine radical formation. this difference is caused mainly by the propagation step ( exothermic ) . But the main reason why the the usual selectivity of bromination is not observed is because it Bromine radical formation is carried out in the presence of Br₂ and Cl₂ ( this causes the difference in activation energy to be reduced )

as given the equation is

2al + 6 hcl > 2 alcl3 + 3 h2(g)

as per equation two moles of aluminum reacts with six moles of hcl to give two moles of alcl3 and three moles of hydrogen gas

given: three moles of al are present and 7 moles of hcl

for three moles of aluminum nine moles of hcl will be required

however as 7 moles of hcl are present so the limiting reagent is hcl

hcl is going to decide the number of moles of product formed

when six moles of hcl are present = 3 moles of h2 are formed

when one mole of hcl is present == 3/6 mole sof h2 will be formed

when 7 moles of hcl are present = 3 x 7/ 6 moles of h2 will be formed = 3.5 moles of h2

answerlinnaeus;